Modern science reinforces the insights preserved in Donguibogam. Moving beyond typical snoring, sleep apnea is not merely an inconvenience to a sleeping partner; it is a serious condition that can be life-threatening. It describes a state where the airway repeatedly collapses or narrows during sleep, leading to shallow breathing or complete pauses in airflow. When pauses lasting 10 seconds or longer occur five or more times per hour, clinical sleep apnea is diagnosed.
When breathing pauses dozens or hundreds of times throughout the night, the body undergoes intermittent hypoxia, and even without fully waking, the brain experiences frequent brief arousals. This means the brain remains in an emergency alert state rather than resting deeply. Over time, this leads to daytime fatigue, persistent sleepiness, impaired concentration, and memory impairment. Brain function gradually diminishes, much like an aged battery losing its capacity. Studies indicate that individuals with severe sleep apnea face higher incidences of dementia and a substantially greater risk of stroke, as the brain is the organ most vulnerable to oxygen loss.
The impact extends further. Repeated oxygen drops and nocturnal arousals trigger overactivity in the sympathetic nervous system. This mirrors a state of chronic stress where the body stays continually tense throughout the night. Levels of the stress hormone cortisol rise, placing marked strain on the cardiovascular system. This significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, arrhythmia, and heart failure. Among patients with treatment-resistant hypertension, sleep apnea is very commonly present. In addition, it impairs blood glucose regulation, driving up insulin resistance and increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes, potentially setting off a cascade of chronic conditions.
Sleep is the primary process through which the body and mind replenish energy. When this renewal is disrupted daily, quality of life inevitably declines. Chronic fatigue and exhaustion can gradually foster feelings of depression and anxiety. Rather than dismissing the issue as simple snoring, it is important to treat it as an essential warning signal and address it with care.
