New Study: The Association Between Sleep Apnea and Long Covid

Previously, a significant association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and severe COVID-19 acute infection was established. New research suggests that OSA may also impact recovery and health beyond acute infection. A recent study supported by the National Institutes of Health found that among people who have had COVID-19, adults with obstructive sleep apnea are more likely to experience long-term symptoms suggestive of long COVID than those without OSA, based on the electronic health record data of more than 2.2 million Americans with COVID-19.

Identifying Sleep Apnea:

Sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed. Common symptoms include snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, morning headaches, and daytime sleepiness. Risk factors for sleep apnea include high body mass index (BMI), obesity, older age, and certain anatomical features (e.g., enlarged tonsils, upper airway abnormalities). Use of tobacco, alcohol, and certain sedative and pain medications can worsen apnea severity. Sleep apnea frequently co-occurs with other health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hyperlipidemia, and type 2 diabetes.