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Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects approximately 30 million Americans, many of them being undiagnosed. This condition causes the sufferer to repetitively stop breathing throughout the night. Ultimately, if you aren’t getting the quality sleep you need at night, it is impossible to thrive during the day. Here are some of the complications you could experience if you leave your sleep apnea untreated.
High Blood Pressure
When you wake up frequently throughout the night, your body gets stressed. This means that your hormone systems can go into overdrive, boosting your blood pressure levels. In addition to that, the level of oxygen in your blood drops when you aren’t able to breathe well, contributing to this issue.
Heart Disease
Did you know that people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are more likely to have heart attacks? Stroked and atrial fibrillation are also linked with this condition. Since sleep apnea disrupts the amount of oxygen your body is receiving, the brain has more difficulty controlling blood flow to your arteries and the brain itself.
Type 2 Diabetes
Sleep apnea is common among those who have type 2 diabetes. In fact, it is estimated that 80% or more of people with type two diabetes have OSA. Not getting enough quality sleep can keep your body from using insulin properly and lead to diabetes.
Weight Gain
Excess weight can increase your risk of developing sleep apnea. In turn, sleep apnea can make it more challenging to lose excess weight. Experts believe the increased obesity rates may be the biggest reason for increased OSA cases in the past two decades. When you are overweight, you are more likely to have excess fatty deposits in your neck that can block your airway at night. On the other hand, sleep apnea can cause your body to release more of the hormone “ghrelin,” making you crave carbs and sweets.
Metabolic Syndrome
This is a group of health conditions that have been linked with OSA, and they increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Metabolic syndrome means having three or more of the following:
- High blood sugar
- Low levels of “good” HDL cholesterol
- High levels of triglycerides, a type of blood fat
- High blood pressure
- Excess fat around the waist
Sleep apnea can result in various health complications, so it’s important to seek a diagnosis and treatment if you are experiencing symptoms. This way, you can work toward getting the treatment you need to get quality, restful sleep.
About the Author
Dr. Russell Teasdale is an experienced dentist who has been working in the field for more than four decades. He earned his dental doctorate from Washington University in St. Louis. He is committed to helping those suffering with sleep apnea, snoring, and TMJ issues achieve a higher quality of life. For more information on sleep apnea treatment or to schedule a consultation at his office in Portland, visit his website or call (716) 839-8008.