Find out what health risks you could face if you suffer from uncontrolled sleep apnea.
When you or your significant other snores it may sometimes be amusing; however, if you or a loved one is dealing with obstructive sleep apnea than it’s anything but funny. While many people don’t even know that they suffer from this condition, it doesn’t make the problem any less serious.
Heart disease: It seems that obstructive sleep apnea is responsible for a slew of very serious heart issues. For one, those diagnosed with sleep apnea are more likely to suffer from heart attacks during the night. Furthermore, stroke and atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm problem, are also more prevalent in those with sleep apnea. This is all due to the disruption of the flow of oxygen during sleep, which makes it hard for the arteries and brain to receive enough blood flow.
Hypertension: All those disruptions from sleep apnea that have you waking up several times throughout the night can mess with your hormones, which can cause high blood pressure, particularly at night. However, the good news is that some patients who find the proper treatment for their sleep apnea is also able to lower their blood pressure.
Type 2 diabetes: Sleep apnea is a common problem among those with type 2 diabetes. In fact, about 80 percent of those with diabetes also have obstructive sleep apnea. One risk factor that happens to link these two problems is obesity. While research is still being conducted to find the exact link between sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes, some researchers believe that the lack of sleep can cause insulin resistance, which can lead to diabetes.
Accidents: One of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea is feeling exhausted throughout the day. This means that you’re less likely to be able to concentrate on tasks and you may be more likely to fall asleep while driving. Accidents are so common in those with sleep apnea, that sleep apnea sufferers are actually five times more likely to have car accidents than healthy sleepers.
If you are suffering from sleep apnea, it’s time you did something about it. Don’t let these other health problems plague you. Contact your Washington, DC ENT, Dr. William R. Bond, Jr. to schedule an appointment and finally get yourself a good night’s sleep.