Does Sleep Apnea Affect Overall Health?
February 28, 2022 9:11 pm
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that can negatively affect your mental, emotional, and physical health. It’s critical to seek treatment if you are dealing with sleep apnea to prevent serious health concerns from arising.
Types of Sleep Apnea
Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send the proper signals to your diaphragm and muscles of the rib cage to breathe while you sleep. This causes individuals to stop breathing periodically throughout the night.
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissue and muscles in the back of the throat relax and block the airway during sleep. When the airway narrows, it can be difficult to catch a full breath. This reduces your intake of oxygen, which is required for cell function and the production of energy for your body.
Common Signs of Sleep Apnea
Wondering if you have sleep apnea? Here are some of the most common indicators that you may be suffering from a sleeping disorder:
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Waking up gasping for air
- Dry mouth
- Frequent headaches or migraines
- Loud, frequent snoring
- Mood swings
- Daytime drowsiness and fatigue
- Mental fog
How Sleep Apnea Can Affect Your Health
Letting sleep apnea go untreated can have a slew of negative effects on your body. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to:
- Abnormal cholesterol levels
- Cardiac issues
- High blood pressure
- Liver problems
- Type 2 diabetes
- Anxiety & depression
Do You Suffer From Sleep Apnea?
If a sleep specialist has diagnosed you with obstructive sleep apnea and the CPAP machine just isn’t working out for you, you should consult with your dentist! Dentists provide oral appliance therapy to open your throat airway while you sleep so that you can receive enough oxygen.
Please contact Gregory B. Garrett, DDS, for more information about the benefits of oral appliance therapy. Our team can help you get on the right path towards a better night’s sleep and a healthier body!