Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is a frequent condition and it is considered that 80% of those afflicted are not yet diagnosed. It can easily be diagnosed and treated, much to an individual’s health benefit notwithstanding the benefits to the bed partner, the family, the work environment and the society.

Untreated obstructive sleep apnea can increase the risks of complications such as high blood pressure, depression or depressed mood, heart attack (myocardial infarction), irregular heartbeats, particularly atrial fibrillation, paralysis (strokes), road traffic accidents, work-related accidents, as well as mortality in the general population.

Untreated obstructive sleep apnea leads to more complications in case of hospitalization. Recovery from other medical conditions is often jeopardized in presence of untreated obstructive sleep apnea. A greater likelihood of complications related to surgery and anesthesia has also been observed.

Obstructive sleep apnea negatively impacts sleep-related quality of life, the energy level, the daytime well-being and the quality of sleep of the concerned individuals as well as their families and has work consequences. Let us bear in mind that untreated obstructive sleep apnea leads to a heavier burden on our healthcare system (JCSM, 2020, Wickwire).

Despite the potential seriousness of obstructive sleep apnea, the impact of the condition on a given individual varies tremendously. Indeed, symptoms could be of different intensity with variable repercussions. Even though we are dealing with similar sleep-related breathing issues, this is not to say that all patients fall in the same category. The scope of the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is very wide and whether it is associated or not with other sleep-related breathing disorder or not, or medical conditions may also impact its severity and treatment. All breathing issues during sleep are not obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Hypoventilation during sleep (excessively slow breathing throughout the night impairing expulsion of C02), Hypoxemia during sleep (impaired oxygen intake mostly due to diseased lungs yet preserved C02 expulsion), Central Sleep Apnea syndrome (abnormal brain control of breathing due to brain issues or severe heart failure mostly) might also be treated with one type of positive airway pressure or another, thus, some of the information herein may be relevant to these group of patients too.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a neuro-respiratory disease which could lead to inflammation (swelling), blood clots in the lungs and legs (pulmonary embolism and thrombophlebitis). It is also associated to an increased risk of aspiration pneumonia.

Similarly, and of concern, COVID-19 is leading in some individuals to out-of-control inflammation (cytokine storm), out-of-control diffuse blood clotting and respiratory failure (inability to breathe) due to pneumonia, inflammation, and clotting. Untreated, undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea is suspected of worsening the body’s response to COVID-19.

When left untreated, OSA decreases our defence mechanisms against infections much in the same way as deliberately cutting our sleeping hours. If we cannot bank on sleeping reserves, we must avoid cutting on our sleep requirements and be sure to respect our body’s needs.

Growing medical literature, including on microbiota, are establishing links between inflammation and several health conditions encountered in the general population, particularly among those showing signs of obstructive sleep apnea. We tend to believe that an inflammatory component exists in atherosclerotic cardiac disease (heart attack and angina), asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, depression, diabetes, obesity, certain chronic intestinal conditions as well as in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The increasing number of these conditions and the fact that they are not properly controlled or treated are contributing factors towards more inflammation. Inflammation linked to obstructive sleep apnea is thus part of the inflammation process.

Obstructive sleep apnea is easily treatable and decreases inflammation.

Nutrition also plays an important role in inflammation. We should stop eating ….and favor nourishing our body. Each mouthful is important. Inflammation increases minutes after consuming chips or French fries. It is then advisable to stay away from trans fat (bacon, lard, shortening, hydrogenated oil, chips, French fries etc.), fast-release sugars (anything with a sugary taste), complex sugars (all starchy food: bread, rice, cookies, crackers, and pasta in particular), and favor vegetables and proteins (fish, eggs, legumes, nuts, poultry, dairy products, meat). Health is earned one mouthful at a time.

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