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 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.
Type 2 Diabetes
Sleep apnea is common among those who have type 2 diabetes. In fact, 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.
Weight Gain
Excess weight can increase your risk of developing sleep apnea. In turn, sleep apnea makes it more difficult 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
When left untreated, sleep apnea can result in various serious health issues. If you think you might have sleep apnea, schedule an appointment with a professional. By seeking a diagnosis, you can get the treatment you need to get the quality sleep you need to thrive.
About the Author
At Little Rock Family Dental Care, we have a team of skilled dentists serving patients at multiple convenient locations in the Little Rock area. If you have concerns regarding sleep apnea, we would be happy to help! For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (501) 514-9205.