Insomnia and sleep apnea: An exhausting duo

Are you undergoing treatment for sleep apnea but having difficulty adjusting? Do you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep? Know that you’re not alone and that we understand how trying this can be. There are explanations for your difficulties getting restorative sleep and, more importantly, solutions to remedy them.

COMISA (comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea) is a condition that combines obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and insomnia. Patients with COMISA experience symptoms of both disorders, such as difficulty falling asleep, fragmented sleep and impaired daytime functioning. This condition is also associated with daytime sleepiness, dysfunctional beliefs about sleep, depression, anxiety and cardiovascular risks.

Studies show that the combination of insomnia and sleep apnea can have significant effects on health, including:

• increasing the risk of depression
• decreasing sleep quality and energy levels during the day
• raising the risk of cardiovascular disease and other health problems
• increasing the likelihood of more serious long-term health complications

If you’re having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep with your sleep apnea treatment, or are still experiencing symptoms, consult our sleep experts. Support tailored to your situation can really improve your sleep, your health and your quality of life.

Approximately 30% to 50% of people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) also suffer from insomnia*. When these two disorders occur simultaneously, sleep can become even more difficult to achieve and maintain. Treatment often involves a combination of sleep apnea therapy and brief behavioural treatment for insomnia (BBTI) to improve sleep quality. Together, these treatments can significantly improve your nights, help you sleep more deeply, reduce nighttime awakenings and restore your energy throughout the day. At Biron, our sleep experts, all specialized respiratory therapists, ensure that you receive comprehensive care. They are available via chat or teleconsultation.

Together, we’ll assess whether your CPAP or other sleep apnea treatment needs to be adjusted while also screening for any undiagnosed sleep disorders that could be affecting the quality of your sleep. If you’re suffering from insomnia, we’ll offer you our insomnia treatment program and, if necessary, refer you to cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I).

*"The effect of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia in people with comorbid insomnia and sleep apnoea: A systematic review and meta-analysis" Alexander Sweetman, Seamas Farrell, Douglas M. Wallace, Megan Crawford.