When insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occur together, it is known as comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea, or COMISA, and managing it often means looking at the bigger picture. Rather than focusing on a single treatment, most people benefit from addressing both conditions through a combination of healthy sleep habits, lifestyle changes and targeted therapies.
Building healthier sleep habits: Simple changes to your daily routine can provide an important foundation for better sleep…
Living with poor sleep night after night can affect much more than how tired you feel the next morning. When insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occur together, a condition known as comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea (COMISA), the effects of two sleep disorders can combine and have a significant impact on everyday life and long-term health.
Poor sleep can become an ongoing cycle - Insomnia can make it difficult to fall or stay asleep, while OSA repeatedly disrupts sleep when the airway narrows or closes…
We all know how difficult it can be to get through the day after a poor night’s sleep. But for people living with both insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), disrupted sleep can become an ongoing problem that affects much more than how tired they feel.
This combination is known as comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea, or COMISA. Around 30 to 40% of people with insomnia also have sleep apnea, while 30 to 50% of people with sleep apnea experience insomnia symptoms.1 In Australia, up to 10% of adults are thought to have COMISA.
Insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are common sleep disorders, and they often occur together. This combination is known as comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea, or COMISA. While anyone can experience COMISA, certain factors may increase your likelihood of developing one or both conditions. Some, such as age and genetics, are outside your control, while others relate to lifestyle and sleep habits.
Age and sex: Getting older increases the risk of both insomnia and sleep apnea, making age an important risk factor for COMISA.
If you regularly struggle to sleep but also snore, wake gasping or never feel properly refreshed, there may be more than one thing disrupting your nights. Insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) frequently occur together, a combination known as comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea, or COMISA.
It is surprisingly common. Around 30 to 40% of people with insomnia also have sleep apnea, while 30 to 50% of people with sleep apnea experience insomnia.1
What symptoms should I look for? Insomnia typically involves difficulty falling asleep..
Insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are common sleep disorders, but they can also occur together. This combination is known as comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea, or COMISA, and research suggests that 30 to 50% of people with OSA experience insomnia symptoms, while 30 to 40% of people with insomnia meet diagnostic criteria for OSA.1 Although despite this overlap, COMISA can easily go unrecognised.
The symptoms can look very similar - One of the biggest challenges is that insomnia and OSA share several symptoms.
Insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are two of the most common sleep disorders, but they do not always occur separately. When someone experiences both conditions at the same time, it is known as comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea, or COMISA. Research suggests this combination is surprisingly common and may have a greater impact on health and quality of life than either condition alone.
How common is COMISA? Australian sleep experts estimate that around 30 to 40% of people with insomnia also have OSA, while approximately 30 to 50% of people with OSA experience clinically significant insomnia symptoms.
A bad night’s sleep can leave anyone feeling irritable, distracted or less patient than usual. When insomnia becomes an ongoing problem, however, its effects may extend beyond the person struggling to sleep and begin to influence their relationship too.
When poor sleep follows you into the day - Insomnia does not end when you get out of bed in the morning. Poor-quality sleep can affect mood, emotional regulation and the ability to manage everyday stress.
Most of us have experienced a restless night and felt the effects the next morning. But when difficulty sleeping becomes a regular occurrence, the consequences can extend well beyond feeling tired. Untreated chronic insomnia can affect your concentration, physical health, work performance, relationships and overall quality of life.
When insomnia becomes more than a bad night - Chronic insomnia is generally characterised by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep at least three times a week for three months or longer.
