Suffocating to death?

[DreamStalker]

On a recent thread where someone was talking about problems adapting to CPAP and not using the machine, two people responded with the notion that the writer had to use the machine or, otherwise, suffocate to death.

I've thought about this for a while (hence can't remember the exact thread) and I don't think it's accurate although I'd like more information.

As I understand it, death as a result of sleep apnea is not going to occur during an apnea episode because when the blood-oxygen drops, the body reacts and forces the person to come out of sleep (for however few seconds) and start breathing again.

It's the reaction of the body--blood pressure rising, heart racing--that occurs over and over again that will eventually be life-threatening because it causes problems through rising BP, enlarged or damaged heart, etc. Not to mention other issues involved with apnea such as weight gain that can cause diabetes and problems of the body not getting enough rest which may cause a lowered immune system.

In other words, it isn't "sudden death by apnea," but really a slow erosion of body tissues and processes caused by the apnea. For example, I can easily imagine, considering the number of times I've woken up in the past 10 years with my heart racing, that one day I'd have a (perhaps fatal) heart attack. If my apnea had not been caught, everyone would have said, "Oh, heart problems ran in the family" which they do.

Any thoughts?

Perhaps it was one of my posts? I have referred to death by slow suffocation on a couple of threads. I think it's fairly accurate.

Someone with the following condition -
apnea
Pronunciation (ap′nē-ă)
also ap•noe•a n., apneic ap•ne'ic adj. & n.

1. Temporary absence or cessation of breathing.
(Greek apnoia, want of breath)


... will be subject to the following effect -
suffocate
v., -cat•ed, -cat•ing, -cates.
v.tr.
1. To kill or destroy by preventing access of air or oxygen.
2. To impair the respiration of; asphyxiate.
3. To cause discomfort to by or as if by cutting off the supply of fresh air.
v.intr.
1. To die from lack of air or oxygen; be asphyxiated.
2. To feel discomfort from lack of fresh air.
3. To become or feel suppressed; be stifled.
(Latin suffōcāre, suffōcāt- : sub-, sub- + faucēs, throat.)

[socknitster]

I really think it is well documented that some people just never take that last breath after the long pause. Yes, apnea causes heart problems, blood pressure etc, and those complications cause death. But you can suffocate too. Personally, I don't think it really matters does it? Dead is dead and if the cause is apnea related it hardly matters if it is officially labeled a heart attack or a lack of breathing. Still just as dead in my book. That is why I use the machine religiously no matter how inconvenient it is.

Jen

[SleepGuy]

I know of one situation (my mom's neighbor) where an otherwise fit and healthy young married man in his 20s just died one night in his sleep. OSA was determined to be the cause of death.

It happens.

[motogary]

I think my "personal update" thread is one source of this discussion. Someone (I'd have to go back and look) mentioned "suffocating" and I thought that was a little dramatic as well, as my apnea was termed "light to moderate" by the doc, but I suppose it is appropriate, especially if the apnea is worse than mine.

[Claire]

Thanks for all the posts on this and I appreciate everyone's input. I'd like to eventually talk to my sleep doc about this, because it's pretty frightening actually. I was diagnosed with moderate to severe sleep apnea and am not sure I ever want to take a nap again!

The good news, if you can call it that, is that as the baby-boomers age, our numbers are going to multiply. Hopefully, that will means more attention to sleep apnea, more money for research, and, keeping our fingers crossed, more answers.

Thanks again!

Claire

[yorkiemum01]

I also know someone who lost a sister to OSA in her early 20's. She was
found dead in her bed, and cause of death was OSA. Its a wake up call to the rest of us to remain vigileant and remain as compliant as possible, as life is precious!

[ozij]

[quote="Claire"]Thanks for all the posts on this and I appreciate everyone's input. I'd like to eventually talk to my sleep doc about this, because it's pretty frightening actually. I was diagnosed with moderate to severe sleep apnea and am not sure I ever want to take a nap again!

The good news, if you can call it that, is that as the baby-boomers age, our numbers are going to multiply. Hopefully, that will means more attention to sleep apnea, more money for research, and, keeping our fingers crossed, more answers.

Thanks again!

Claire

[kteague]

In my mind, not breathing is not breathing no matter what the frequency (or infrequency). I'm more concerned with my oxygen level and length of events. While the classifications with their averaged count per hour have their purpose, seems to me on a pass/fail scale they are all just levels of failing to be safe while sleeping if untreated.