Sleep Apnea

IS SLEEP APNEA AFFECTING YOUR HEALTH?

Although sleep apnea is a common condition affecting millions of Americans, if left untreated, it can contribute to other more serious health issues. While most people have heard of this sleeping disorder, they are unaware of how life-threatening the ailment can be.

If someone is concerned that they, or someone they know, might have sleep apnea, it is important to talk with their medical professional about a sleep apnea diagnosis.

The majority of people with sleep apnea have a chronic condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Apnea symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending upon a person’s underlying medical condition.

While this condition cannot be self-diagnosed, individuals need to understand what obstructive sleep apnea is, what indicating symptoms of sleep apnea are, how a sleep apnea diagnosis can be validated, and how important professional treatment is for this disorder.

IS TREATING SLEEP APNEA IMPORTANT?

Quality deep sleep refreshes the mind and body. If left untreated, lack of sleep due to apnea symptoms can lead to or worsen other mental and physical conditions such as: the risk of high blood pressure, a stroke, heart failure, or a heart attack; diabetes; obesity; daytime drowsiness, mood swings, or lack of concentration; and irregular heartbeats.

While sleep apnea is a serious condition, it can be managed with long term treatment or therapy. Successful treatments range from lifestyle changes such as losing weight, stopping the use of tobacco, or restricting the use of alcohol before going to bed, to the use of oral dental sleep devices or continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) machines.