Do you snore at night or wake in the morning feeling more drained than when you drifted off the night before? If so, you might have developed sleep apnea. People with this disorder experience interruptions to their breathing that prevent them from completing all the necessary sleep stages of their nightly circadian cycles.
You may not think your condition requires professional attention, but the truth is that if left untreated, it can have a negative impact on your overall well-being. Continue reading to learn 3 potential consequences of ignoring sleep apnea that might motivate you to contact your dentist to address it!
Issue #1: High Blood Pressure
There are two types of sleep apnea, but the most common is OSA, or obstructive sleep apnea. This occurs when a blockage (such as relaxed throat muscles, obesity, enlarged tonsils, or narrow airways) prevents air from reaching your lungs, resulting in brief pauses in your breathing.
This leads to a drop in your oxygen levels and an increase in your carbon dioxide levels, triggering the release of stress hormones into your system. This results in constricted blood vessels that cause an increase in your blood pressure.
Issue #2: Heart Problems
Unfortunately, elevated blood pressure also impacts your heart health. For example, did you know that people with untreated OSA are about twice as likely to have a heart attack as those without a sleep disorder?
The reason for this is not fully understood, but experts believe that oxygen deprivation can disrupt the brain’s ability to control blood flow and hormone secretion. Furthermore, low oxygen content can cause atrial fibrillation, or a fast and fluttering heartbeat, increasing the risk of stroke and other heart-related issues.
Issue #3: Type 2 Diabetes
Another medical condition that’s closely associated with obstructive sleep apnea is Type 2 diabetes; in fact, 80% or more of people who are diabetic also have this nightly disorder. Although studies haven’t yet shown a direct cause-and-effect link between them, experts think that periods of low oxygen (known as hypoxia) can lead to insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance.
Plus, the stress hormones that flood your body when your airways are cut off lead to increased levels of cortisol, which is associated with higher blood sugar levels. Plus, obesity is a contributing factor to both sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes, increasing the connection between these two dangerous conditions.
If you’re concerned about developing sleep apnea, you can protect your overall health by scheduling a consultation with your dentist to identify and treat it!
Meet the Author
Dr. Scott Parker enjoys helping people of all ages build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. He graduated from Loma Linda University and is committed to lifelong learning with prestigious institutions like Spear Education and the American Dental Association. Today, he offers a comprehensive array of services at one convenient location to meet all your dental needs, including the treatment of diagnosed sleep apnea. If you’re concerned that your restless nights are affecting your dental or overall well-being, you can request an appointment online or call (909) 795-6019.