The Deadly Dangers of Untreated Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition that causes you to stop breathing repeatedly during sleep. One of its most noticeable symptoms is that it can make you tired. The truth is, though, that its consequences can go much further than that. In fact, if it is left untreated for too long, it could prove to be deadly! This blog post discusses how sleep apnea may contribute to early death and provides tips to help you stay healthy.

How Sleep Apnea Can Cause Early Death

At first, you may not realize how seriously sleep apnea can affect your body and mind. Here are some of the major ways in which it could endanger your life:

· Heart Disease: Interrupted breathing causes sudden drops in your blood oxygen, which places extra stress on your cardiovascular system. In turn, this can increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, and other cardiovascular issues.

· Type 2 Diabetes: Repeated sleep interruptions can worsen insulin resistance, thereby increasing your chances of developing diabetes. Poor sleep can also interfere with the hormones that regulate satiety and hunger, which can lead to difficulties with diet and weight management.

· Abnormal Heart Rhythms: You may experience arrhythmias, which can lead to sudden cardiac events.

· Accidents and Injuries: Sleep deprivation impairs your alertness and reaction time. You might therefore be more likely to experience car accidents, workplace injuries, and falls.

· Decreased Immune Function: Poor sleep quality weakens your immune system. You might find yourself getting sick more often and taking longer to recover from illnesses.

Get Treated to Protect Your Health

Although the above information might seem scary, rest assured that you do not have to let sleep apnea control your life. In fact, with timely treatment, you can greatly reduce the health risks associated with this condition.

For example, oral appliance therapy is a popular treatment choice for people with mild to moderate sleep apnea. It uses a custom-made device that fits comfortably in your mouth and helps keep your airway open throughout the night. As a result of regularly using your appliance, you may notice better rest, increased alertness, and fewer health problems.

Untreated sleep apnea could rob you of your health and possibly even shorten your life! Take action as soon as possible to improve the quality of your sleep and protect yourself from devastating consequences.

Meet the Practice

At Sleep Better Southwest, Dr. Jonathan Held and our team are pleased to provide oral appliance therapy for patients in Sedona, Prescott Valley, and Flagstaff. We provide custom devices that have already helped many patients, and they may be able to help you as well. To learn more about how we may be able to assist you in your quest for improved sleep and better health, contact our Sedona office at 928-227-3024.