5 Consequences of Not Treating Sleep Apnea!

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects about 30 million Americans – many of them never having been diagnosed. This disorder causes the sufferer to repetitively stop breathing throughout the night. Ultimately, if you don’t get the quality sleep you need at night, it is nearly impossible to thrive during the day. Here are some complications that 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. The level of oxygen in your blood also drops when you can’t 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. Strokes 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.

Weight Gain

Excess weight can increase your risk of developing sleep apnea. In turn, sleep apnea makes 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.

Type 2 Diabetes

Sleep apnea is common among those who have type 2 diabetes. It is estimated that 80% of people with type 2 diabetes have OSA. Not getting enough sleep can prevent your body from using insulin properly and lead to diabetes.

Metabolic Syndrome

This is a group of health conditions that have been linked to 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

When left without treatment, sleep apnea can result in serious health conditions. If you think that you might have sleep apnea, schedule an appointment with a professional. By seeking a diagnosis, you can get the treatment that you require to get the quality sleep you need at night to thrive during the day!

About the Author

Dr. Jonathan Held earned his dental doctorate from the Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha. He has taken over 800 hours of continuing education almost entirely focused on the field of sleep medicine. Currently, he is a proud member of the Academy of General Dentistry and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. He is also the only Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine in Northern Arizona. To learn more about sleep apnea or to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (928) 404-0332.cle, we will discuss…