7 Dangers of Untreated Sleep Apnea

Are you incredibly tired all the time, no matter how much sleep you get? Do you snore loudly enough to bother your partner? Do you sometimes wake up in the middle of the night choking or gasping for air? These are all symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea in Midland. This disorder is caused by the tissues in your throat collapsing and blocking your airway while you sleep. It interferes with your quality of rest, negatively impacting your life in several ways. Keep reading to learn seven dangers of letting sleep apnea go untreated.

1. Car Crashes

When you feel groggy from not getting restful sleep, you might fall asleep at the wheel. People who have sleep apnea are up to five times more likely to have traffic accidents than people without the condition.

2. Acid Reflux

There’s no proof that sleep apnea causes this kind of heartburn, but the two conditions appear to be connected. Sleep doctors say that treating sleep apnea can help alleviate symptoms of acid reflux.

3. Adult Asthma

Scientists have not yet proven a link between obstructive sleep apnea and asthma, but people who get treatment for their apnea might find that they have fewer asthma attacks.

4. Weight Gain

Having sleep apnea actually makes it harder to shed those extra pounds. This is because sleep apnea can make your body release more ghrelin, a hormone that makes you crave sweets and carbs. Plus, when you’re sleep-deprived, your body is not as efficient at converting the food you eat into energy, which may lead to weight gain.

5. Type 2 Diabetes

It is believed that 80% or more of people with type 2 diabetes also have sleep apnea. Not getting enough sleep can raise your body’s level of insulin resistance, which contributes directly to the development of type 2 diabetes.

6. Heart Disease

People with obstructive sleep apnea are significantly more like to have heart attacks than those without it. Waking up often at night may place undue stress on your heart. Sleep apnea also disrupts the way your body takes in oxygen, which makes it harder for your brain to control how blood flows throughout your body.

7. High Blood Pressure

When you wake up frequently during the night, your body gets stressed. This makes your hormone levels shoot into overdrive, which raises your blood pressure. However, research has shown that people with high blood pressure who seek sleep apnea treatment have seen their blood pressure improve.

As you can see, sleep apnea can be so much worse than loud snoring. If you think you might have sleep apnea, see your dentist or doctor right away for treatment to avoid any of the complications listed above.

About the Author

Dr. Laura Philipps achieved her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at Tufts University. During the more than two decades since then, she has studied extensively at many prestigious institutes, such as SPEAR Education and the Pankey Institute. She has received state-of-the-art training in several areas, including the treatment of sleep apnea. If you suspect you have sleep apnea, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Philipps at (432) 570-4433.