Sleep apnea is a condition that causes intermittent interruptions in breathing during sleep.

There is some evidence that sleep apnea is linked to mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety.

Sleep apnea is a common medical condition.

Man in bed experiencing sleep apnea

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However, its still unclear exactly how that association works and what causes it.

This can sometimes make it hard to tell which condition is causing which symptoms.

If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.

CPAP Benefits

Sleep apnea is typically diagnosed with asleep study(overnight polysomnogram).

This will help determine whether you have mild, moderate, or severe OSA.

The first choice of treatment for sleep apnea is positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy.

The most common pop in of PAP equipment is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.

Lifestyle changes, therapy, and medication can help you manage your depression-linked sleep apnea.

If you have OSA or any other co-occurring conditions, let your doctor know before taking any prescription drugs.

Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, can also help with symptoms of depression.

Zepbound is the first and only FDA-approved medication to treat OSA.

Summary

Sleep apnea is a common medical condition that causes intermittent disruptions in breathing during sleep.

The most common throw in is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Many people with OSA also have symptoms of depression.

If you have both OSA and depression, its important to treat both conditions.

Depression can be treated with prescribed medications,talk therapy, or both.

Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms of depression, sleep apnea, or both.

However, depression can make it harder to stay and fall asleep.

Some people with depression may sleep too much or too little, oversleep, or wake up too early.

Your CPAP machine may also need attention if your sleep apnea symptoms are getting worse or failing to improve.

Being overweight is a risk factor for developing both sleep apnea and depression.

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