Insomnia vs Sleep Apnea: What Are the Differences?

You may suspect that you have insomnia or sleep apnea. You may wonder what the differences are between the two.

Understanding the differences between the two can be helpful when determining the cause of your symptoms. Knowing what to look for can help you schedule an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor can assess the severity of your symptoms and recommend the best path of treatment.

Let’s take a look at what you should know about the differences between insomnia vs sleep apnea.

What Is Insomnia?

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that can make it difficult to fall asleep, stay asleep, or both. It can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). It can also be primary, which means it’s not caused by another health condition, or secondary, which means it’s caused by another health condition.

What Are the Signs of Insomnia?

There are many signs of insomnia, but the most common is difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Other signs include waking up often during the night, waking up early in the morning, and feeling tired during the day.

Insomnia can also cause problems with concentration, mood, and energy levels.

What Causes Insomnia?

There are many things that can cause insomnia, including stress, anxiety, depression, certain medications, and medical conditions. Insomnia can also be caused by poor sleep habits, such as sleeping in an uncomfortable environment or working late into the night.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person experiences pauses in their breathing or shallow breaths while they sleep. People with sleep apnea often snore loudly.

Sleep apnea can cause daytime sleepiness, moodiness, and slow reflexes. It can also put a strain on the heart and increase the risk for heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.

What Are the Signs of Sleep Apnea?

There are a few different signs of sleep apnea, but the most common one is snoring. If you or your partner snores loudly, and you feel exhausted during the day, you may have sleep apnea. Discover more about this condition for men’s health through this sleep apnea guide.

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

There are many possible causes of sleep apnea, but the most common is obesity. Obesity can cause the tissues in the throat to relax and collapse, blocking the airway.

Other causes include smoking, alcohol use, and sedatives. Sleep apnea can also be caused by anatomic problems, such as a deviated septum or small jaw.

Insomnia vs Sleep Apnea

There are many similarities between the two conditions, the most common being that both can cause disruptions to normal sleep patterns. Both conditions can also result in feelings of fatigue and daytime sleepiness, as well as irritability.

Additionally, both can lead to difficulty concentrating and memory problems. The main difference between the two conditions is that insomnia is generally caused by psychological factors, while sleep apnea is caused by physical factors.

Why Is Knowing the Difference Important?

There are a few key similarities between insomnia vs sleep apnea. Both involve difficulty falling or staying asleep.

Many people with sleep apnea also have insomnia and vice versa. Both can lead to daytime sleepiness, impaired mood and concentration, and an increased risk of accidents.

Knowing the difference between the two is important because they require different treatments. If you think you might have either disorder, it’s important to see a doctor get a proper diagnosis. If you think this article is helpful to you, check out our other blogs!