Yes, sleep apnea can cause breathing problems, especially if it goes untreated for some time. There are some tell-tale signs to see if you are suffering from sleep apnea. If you wake up with thick mucus, throat pain, hoarseness, or have a constant cough, it could be a sign of sleep apnea. These symptoms are some of the most common throat problems sleep apnea sufferers experience.
People with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are more at risk of suffering from breathing problems at night. This is partly down to the partial or complete collapse of one or more areas of the upper airway (from the nose to the tongue). This is usually worse when people sleep on their back as their tongue can fall back into this position more easily. When you reach deep sleep, all of your muscles naturally relax which makes you more susceptible to breathing stoppages and problems.
It has been found that a vacuum effect occurs inside the chest and throat when sleep apnea takes place. This sucks up natural stomach juices into the esophagus and throat but this can occur in healthy sleepers too, especially after a late-night meal or snack. What creeps up into your throat isn’t only stomach acid. It is also bile, digestive enzymes, and bacteria. All of these can cause irritation in the throat which can result in the mucus-secreting glands trying to dilute the substances.
In some cases, the stomach juices can also cause nasal congestion and inflammation. This can result in the tongue becoming aggravated so the soft palate collapses creating a downstream vacuum effect.
Chronic acid can damage the protective chemoreceptors in your throat which detect any acid in the throat to prevent anything going into your lungs. Known as reflux arousal, these sensors send a signal to the brain which causes you to wake up so you can swallow.