Obstructive sleep apnea or OSA is a sleep-breathing disorder characterized by loud snoring or pauses in breathing while sleeping. As a result, the body struggles to receive enough oxygen, which can cause weight gain, memory loss, irritability, fatigue, and other health problems that could lead to an early death. While many cases of obstructive sleep apnea are due to an airway obstruction like enlarged tonsils or adenoids or excess weight around the neck, could it be possible that certain medications cause this sleep-breathing disorder? Find out on our newest blog today as our sleep apnea dentist in Okemos, Dr. Christine Tenaglia, explores this topic.

What happens when sleep apnea occurs?

Obstructive sleep apnea blocks air from getting to the lungs. This blockage could be partial or complete and often results in loud snoring or gasping for air that wakes the brain from the deepest stage of the sleep cycle known as REM sleep. Most sleep apnea sufferers don’t even know that they have this condition, although they are constantly battling daytime fatigue, mood swings, weight gain, and other sleep apnea symptoms. However, young adults and even individuals that are in good health and that maintain a healthy weight could be at risk of sleep apnea. Here’s how some popular medications could cause snoring or sleep apnea.

What medications could impact sleep apnea?

Some medications are known to have weight gain as a potential side effect. And we know that excess weight around the neck or being overweight in general could increase someone’s risk of developing sleep apnea. Here are five medications that could make you more likely to develop sleep apnea, based on weight gain as a common side effect. If you take one of these medications and deal with chronic fatigue, talk to your doctor about the possibility of sleep apnea or schedule a sleep apnea screening in Okemos with Tenaglia Smiles.

• Antidepressants are known to increase the appetite, resulting in the desire to eat more often or consume more calories than usual. Another type of antidepressant known as SSRIs affects sleep by disrupting the REM stage of sleep (the deepest stage that results in rapid eye movement).
• Depakote is prescribed as a mood stabilizer that treats seizures or bipolar disorders. It can also be prescribed to treat migraines.
• Steroids like corticosteroids or prednisone are prescribed to treat a plethora of conditions from arthritis, lung infections, allergic reactions, and more. It’s estimated that nearly 70% of people in the U.S. take oral steroids long-term to help manage a chronic condition.
• Antihistamines are helpful at relieving allergic reactions or allergies and more than 100 million people take this over-the-counter medication regularly. Products like Allegra or Zyrtec are available for purchase in stores but could result in weight gain.
• Insulin is commonly used to manage glucose levels in diabetics. However, it is possible to gain weight if you take insulin. If you are diabetic and take insulin, consider a sleep apnea screening to rule out a sleep-breathing disorder.

Sleep Apnea Screenings in Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing, Michigan

Dr. Christine Tenaglia provides airway screenings to help determine if you could be at risk for sleep apnea. She may also refer you to undergo an official sleep study, if necessary. Together with your sleep doctor and other physicians, Dr. Tenaglia can help you manage sleep apnea and reduce episodes of snoring by prescribing a medication-free oral appliance that is worn comfortably while sleeping. To learn more about sleep apnea screenings or schedule yours today, contact Tenaglia Smiles by calling (517) 347-6733.