It’s Not Just You – Sleep Apnea Is Common in COPD  

If you have COPD and sleep apnea, you aren’t alone. Sleep apnea is a fairly common condition alongside COPD.

Research suggests that 1 in 10 people with COPD also have sleep apnea. When you have both conditions, it’s called overlap syndrome.

One of these diagnoses doesn’t cause the other. Still, both conditions affect your breathing. You may experience more nighttime awakenings, less restful sleep, and difficulty breathing.

Let’s explore sleep apnea, why it happens alongside COPD, and treatment options.

Join the free COPD community!

Connect with thousands of members and find support through daily live chats, curated resources, and one-to-one messaging.

Sign up

What’s sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes you to briefly stop breathing during sleep. Although you can start breathing again on your own, this stop-and-start pattern disrupts the sleep cycle.

You might feel overly tired throughout the day, even after a full night’s rest. Here are a few signs you may experience:

• feeling excessively sleepy during the day
• having difficulty concentrating or irritability due to tiredness
• experiencing loud snoring
• gasping for air when you wake up

If someone is sleeping next to you, they may notice that you pause your breathing pattern during sleep.

Many people brush off daytime sleepiness to the pressures of daily life without realizing they may have a medical diagnosis. If you have any of the signs mentioned above, it’s a good idea to speak with your doctor. Getting quality sleep is vital for your overall health and well-being.

What causes sleep apnea in COPD?

COPD doesn’t cause sleep apnea and vice versa. Rather, they both involve airway inflammation and shortness of breath.

If you have COPD, your lungs trap air and become hyperinflated. Research published in 2020 suggests that these factors reduce the body’s response to low oxygen levels, possibly contributing to sleep apnea.

There are two types of sleep apnea, the most common being obstructive sleep apnea. It happens when the airway becomes blocked and can occur for various reasons. Enlarged tonsils and neck structure can play a role. Obesity, age, hormones, and genetics may also contribute.

COPD vs. sleep apnea: What’s the difference?

COPD and sleep apnea both affect your breathing and oxygen levels. But they are very different conditions.

The first condition, COPD, is a combination of emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Emphysema damages the air sacs in the lungs, while chronic bronchitis causes inflammation in the airway.

Sleep apnea occurs when the upper airway collapses. This condition causes the stop-start breathing pattern during sleep, leading to less oxygen delivery and nighttime awakenings.

Combine them and you have overlap syndrome. As you can imagine, having both conditions is taxing on your body. Your drive for oxygen hinders your ability to get a peaceful night’s rest.

What are the treatment options for sleep apnea with COPD?

Treatment aims to help you feel more rested and alert throughout the day. You may also notice less snoring and nighttime awakenings. Finding the treatment option that works best for you is crucial for your overall health.

Many treatment options are available to manage both conditions.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

CPAP machines work well for sleep apnea, and sleep doctors commonly prescribe these devices. The machine is attached to a mask that gently blows air into your lungs to keep your airway open. This system is called positive airway pressure.

It may take a while to adjust to wearing the mask while you sleep. You can try a variety of masks to find the best fit for you. Cleaning the device and regularly replacing supplies helps remove unwanted bacteria that might worsen your condition or cause other health issues. You’ll also get the most out of your equipment by cleaning it regularly.

Oxygen therapy

Your doctor may prescribe supplemental oxygen if you consistently have low oxygen levels. Using oxygen during the day and night eases breathing and improves your overall quality of life. Although it will not treat sleep apnea alone, it can help improve your breathing and make you more comfortable.

Medications

Medications can make breathing more manageable for people with COPD. They work by opening up the airway and reducing inflammation.

An inhaled medication, called a bronchodilator, relaxes and opens your airway. Corticosteroids decrease airway inflammation. These medications help COPD but do not independently treat sleep apnea.

Lifestyle changes

Your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes to help you breathe easier.

If you have overweight or obesity, they may recommend weight loss. According to the American Lung Association, losing weight, even as little as 10%, can help improve your sleep apnea.

If you smoke, your doctor will encourage you to quit. Cigarette smoke can cause inflammation in your lungs that can worsen your condition.

Likewise, drinking alcohol and taking sedatives can also worsen your condition. You may be advised to avoid them to promote quality sleep and rest.

Sleeping on your side is the best position to relieve breathing problems. Sleeping on your back may block your airway and worsen your sleep apnea.

Once on your side, try putting pillows between your legs to support your back or using a full-body pillow for extra comfort.

Takeaway

COPD and sleep apnea can sometimes occur together making it more difficult to get a good night’s rest. Not everyone who has COPD will develop sleep apnea.

If you do develop both conditions, you may experience sleep disturbances and have more difficulty breathing at night.

Speak with your doctor if you feel exhausted after a long night of sleep, wake up gasping for air, or are a loud snorer. Treatments are available to help you sleep better and breathe more comfortably.