If you or a loved one frequently snores night after night, it may be time to consider the possibility of obstructive sleep apnea. Also called OSA, or “sleep apnea” for short, this is a relatively common condition that causes pauses or obstructions in breathing while you sleep.
Beyond snoring though, sleep apnea can have more serious consequences. Constant interruptions in breathing decreases the amount of oxygen you take in, leading to both short-term and long-term health consequences.
Daytime fatigue
In a sleep-deprived society, daytime fatigue is unfortunately not out of the norm. However, if you’re frequently sleepy during the day despite going to bed at a decent hour, sleep apnea could be to blame, as it causes frequent waking throughout the night and decreased oxygen.
Daytime fatigue from sleep apnea can have more consequences than just being tired. It can impact your motor skills, increase your risk of vehicular accidents, and also decrease your ability to perform dangerous or high-stakes jobs, such as construction or health care. A lack of sleep can lead to some delusion as well, if not sleeping at all.
Mental and cognitive issues
Poor oxygen intake and lack of sleep on a regular basis can also impair your ability to think and make decisions. Sleep apnea is also linked to an increased risk of anxiety and depression. Behavioral problems are also possible, particularly in children. A lack of sleep can make people more irritable, which can lead to issues in both personal and professional relationships.
High blood pressure
Obstructions in breathing have also been found to raise your blood pressure. In the long-term, untreated sleep apnea can also increase your risk of high blood pressure (hypertension), which is defined as 130/80 mm Hg and above. If your blood pressure is consistently high, you may have to be put on medication to regulate it, which can lead to more side effects.
Heart disease and stroke
Over time, sleep apnea may increase your risk of other cardiovascular related conditions. Sudden, and frequent obstructions in blood oxygen can put pressure on your entire cardiovascular system, subsequently increasing your risk of atrial fibrillation, heart attack, and stroke.
If you have a history of heart attack or stroke, having sleep apnea can also increase your chances of recurring events. An irregular heartbeat from untreated sleep apnea may even cause sudden death.
Metabolic syndrome
You can also develop metabolic syndrome, which is a condition defined as having at least three health issues that might contribute to cardiovascular disease. Examples include hypertension, high blood cholesterol, and high blood sugar. When you leave sleep apnea untreated, you can develop metabolic syndrome, as well as other health problems.
Metabolic syndrome affects the way you do mostly everything from digesting food to just regular bodily processes. It can lead to more problems, such as clogged arteries, Type 2 diabetes and more diseases.
Type 2 diabetes
Another common risk associated with apnea is chronic high blood sugar. This can eventually lead to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, people with type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea are at an increased risk of developing heart disease.
When diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, you usually have to be on some form of insulin injectable daily or weekly, which can lead to side effects such as upset stomach, nausea, and more.
Liver disease
You can develop certain liver problems with sleep apnea, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and scarring (cirrhosis). These can eventually lead to reduced liver function and other health problems.
When to see your doctor
Do you have a loved one that complains about your snoring? You should probably make your way over to the doctor’s office! This is especially true if you also have frequent daytime sleepiness and are feeling unwell.
If you have any underlying conditions, ask your doctor about a sleep study or testing to help reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. The sooner you treat sleep apnea, the better chance you have of reducing other health issues.
