Sleep apnea is a disorder that affects a person’s ability to breathe while he or she sleeps. If someone suffers from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), he or she could potentially stop breathing hundreds of times in one night. Not only does this interrupt sleep, but it can also lead to the following:
High Blood Pressure
If the body constantly comes out of a deep sleep throughout the night, this disruption can negatively affect your hormonal systems. This causes your blood pressure to increase during the nighttime hours. Since obstructive sleep apnea can cause a person to stop breathing repeatedly, this condition might also lower oxygen levels in the blood, which can also lead to hypertension. If you are suddenly suffering from high blood pressure, you should talk to your doctor about sleep apnea.
Heart Disease
Decreased oxygen levels and the stress associated with not sleeping soundly throughout the night can actually increase a person’s risk for a heart attack. Without as much oxygen as it is used to, the body cannot as efficiently pump blood around the vital organs, which can result in heart disease.
Morning Lethargy
Since sleep apnea prevents you from sleeping as well as you should, it can also affect your mental health during the day. Extreme tiredness can decrease your ability to do your job and also put you at a greater risk for falling asleep while doing dangerous tasks like driving. In fact, people with sleep apnea are five times more likely to get into a car accident than those who receive proper sleep each night.
University Associates in Dentistry can help find a solution for your sleep apnea issues. With sleep apnea treatment alternatives and oral devices, dental implants, and restorative dentistry, we give you access to some of the best dental services in all of Chicago. Visit our website or call (312) 704-5511 to learn more about our treatment options and to schedule an appointment.
