Aging and Sleep Apnea

What Every Senior Should Know

- Dr S K Rupesh Kumar

As we age, our bodies go through many changes—our bones may weaken, muscles lose strength, and sleep patterns shift. One health concern that often goes unnoticed in older adults is sleep apnea, a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which airflow is interrupted despite the body’s effort to breathe. The two main types are:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): The more common form, caused by throat muscles relaxing and blocking the airway.

Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): Less common, where the brain doesn’t send proper signals to control breathing. In seniors, OSA is particularly common, often linked to age-related changes in muscle tone, weight gain, or underlying health conditions.

Why Seniors Are at Higher Risk