Untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is more than just disruptive to sleep, it can be dangerous. Many patients struggle daily with chronic headaches, anxiety, depression, and strained relationships, while also facing increased risks of hypertension, heart attacks, strokes, and other severe health conditions.
But what exactly prevents people from getting the treatment they need? Recent research published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine explored this very question through patient and partner interviews. This article highlights the top five reasons why people delay or avoid OSA treatment and offers potential solutions to overcome these barriers.
1. Patients Don’t Recognize Their Symptoms as Serious
One of the main reasons people go untreated for so long is that they don’t perceive their symptoms as serious. Fatigue, snoring, and feeling unrefreshed upon waking become their “new normal,” leading them to believe these issues are just a part of life. Many patients fail to associate their daytime sleepiness or morning headaches with a sleep disorder like OSA.
As one participant noted, “I went about 23 years waking up feeling hungover without having had a drop of alcohol. I just got used to a new norm of fatigue.” Raising awareness of how subtle symptoms can indicate a serious health condition is a key step in encouraging people to seek help.
2. The Sleep Study Process Seems Daunting and Complicated
The idea of undergoing a sleep study deters many people from pursuing a diagnosis. Patients often describe sleep studies as uncomfortable or invasive, imagining themselves hooked up to multiple wires in a clinical setting. Even the steps leading up to a sleep study, such as the doctor visits and insurance approvals, are perceived as overwhelming.
This resistance is often compounded by stories of unexpected costs or insurance denials. Simplifying the diagnostic process and offering home-based sleep studies for straightforward cases could help reduce these barriers.
3. Stigma Surrounding CPAP Machines Delays Treatment
Many patients delay treatment because of the perceived stigma associated with CPAP or APAP machines. While these devices are highly effective, they are often viewed as a sign of poor health or aging. “Everyone over 45 pretty much has a CPAP machine,” one patient commented, highlighting the social stigma attached to using these devices.
Educating patients on the benefits of CPAP therapy and reframing it as a tool for optimizing health, much like a fitness tracker, can help reduce this stigma and encourage more people to embrace treatment.
4. Poor Coordination and Communication Between Providers
Another common barrier is the fragmented nature of sleep apnea care. Patients often face delays due to poor coordination between primary care doctors, specialists, and insurance companies. One participant described waiting over six months for their results and insurance approval: “It just, like, took forever.”
This disjointed experience discourages many people from pursuing treatment. Streamlining communication and centralizing OSA care into a single, cohesive team can significantly reduce these barriers and improve patient outcomes.
5. Inconsistent Messaging and Confusion About Diagnosis
Inconsistent messaging from healthcare providers is another reason many patients remain untreated. For example, a patient may receive conflicting information about the severity of their OSA or hear varying recommendations on treatment options. One participant shared that they were told years after their initial sleep study that they should have been using a CPAP machine all along. Clear and consistent communication, paired with proper patient education, can help patients better understand their condition and take the necessary steps to manage it.
Get the Sleep You Deserve with Konk Sleep
If you or a loved one suspects they have sleep apnea, don’t wait another day to seek help. Untreated OSA can have severe health consequences, but the good news is that effective treatments are available. Visit Konk Sleep to explore your options and take the first step toward better sleep and improved health, all without leaving your home.