Does your partner get fed up with your loud snoring? Do you constantly feel tired no matter how much sleep you got or coffee you drank? Do you find yourself almost falling asleep at the wheel? These are all signs that you might have sleep apnea in Wall Township, a disorder that causes you to wake up several times a night because you can’t breathe properly. This condition can cause more than just loud snoring. Read on to learn seven dangerous consequences of untreated sleep apnea.
1. High Blood Pressure
If you already have high blood pressure, sleep apnea can make it worse. When you wake up throughout the night, your body’s stress hormones go into overdrive and boost your blood pressure levels. Additionally, your blood oxygen levels deplete when you’re not breathing efficiently, which exacerbates the issue.
2. Heart Disease
People with sleep apnea are more likely to have heart attacks. This may be due to the stress of frequently waking up during the night. Strokes are also linked to the disorder.
3. Type 2 Diabetes
Did you know that about 80% of people with type 2 diabetes also have sleep apnea? Studies have not shown a causal relationship between the two of conditions, but obesity is a risk factor for both. Moreover, not getting enough sleep can increase your level of insulin resistance, which leads to type 2 diabetes.
4. Weight Gain
Overweight people have extra fatty deposits in their necks that can block the airway at night. Conversely, sleep apnea can make your body release more ghrelin, a hormone that makes you crave sweets and carbs. Also, when you’re constantly tired, your body won’t be as efficient at turning the food you eat into energy, leading to weight gain.
5. Acid Reflux
While there’s no scientific proof that sleep apnea causes this form of heartburn, treating one of the conditions has been shown to improve the other.
6. Adult Asthma
Again, science has not proven a direct relationship here. However, people who seek treatment for their sleep apnea generally have fewer asthma attacks.
7. Car Accidents
People with sleep apnea are up to five times more likely to have traffic accidents than those who sleep healthily. When you feel tired all the time, you are less likely to pay attention to what’s happening while you drive.
All of these health issues sound scary, but there’s one way to avoid them: getting treatment for your sleep apnea. Your dentist may prescribe an oral appliance, a CPAP machine, or a combination of the two. Whatever treatment your dentist recommends, be sure to follow it to a T. It could save your life!
About the Author
Dr. Edward Dooley opened his private practice in Wall Township, NJ in 1986 and hasn’t looked back. In 2016, he achieved Fellowship status with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. His practice also offers CPAP, oral appliances, and combined therapy. If you think you might have sleep apnea in Wall Township, click here to contact Dr. Dooley’s practice.
