Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Health Issues

Loud snores could seem comical, but obstructive sleep apnea is no joke. It is one of the more serious sleeping disorder symptoms and is very able to raise your chance of high blood pressure levels and diabetes — and even make you more threatening on the road.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Related Health Issues:

High blood pressure. Obstructive sleep apnea can cause hypertension in those who have it. The repeated nighttime wakings that plague sufferers induce hormonal systems to go into overdrive, which results in high blood pressure levels at nighttime. Reduced blood-oxygen levels, caused by the cutoff of air, might also play a role in hypertension in those with sleep apnea. The good news: Many people with high blood pressure that are treated for sleep apnea can cut back on their blood pressure drugs.

Heart problems. Those with obstructive sleep apnea are apt to undergo heart attacks and die in the middle of the night. The causes could be low oxygen or the stress of waking up repeatedly while sleeping. Stroke and atrial fibrillation – a issue with the rhythm of the heartbeat — may also be linked to obstructive sleep apnea. The disturbed oxygen flow brought on by sleep apnea can make it tough for your brain to regulate the blood flow in arteries and also the brain itself.

Type 2 diabetes. Sleep apnea is rather typical among people with type 2 diabetes – as many as 80% of diabetics have some obstructive sleep deprivation. Excessive weight is a common risk factor for both conditions. Although studies have never shown a specific link between sleep apnea alone and type 2 diabetes, sleep deprivation could cause insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes.

Weight gain.Adding weight raises your chance of sleep apnea, and up to two-thirds of patients  are seriously overweight. Obstructive sleep apnea is often healed if you lose enough weight, but that can be not easy to do.

Being overweight will cause fatty tissue in the neck that will hinder breathing through the night. Consequently, sleep apnea impacts the body’s endocrine systems, creating the release of the hormone ghrelin, that makes you want carbohydrates and sweets. Additionally, individuals with sleep apnea who are weary and sleepy constantly may have lower metabolisms, which can also contribute to extra weight. Getting therapy for sleep apnea can make you feel great, with increased energy for exercise as well as other activities.

Adult asthma. Even though the link to obstructive sleep apnea is not proven, those people who are treated for sleep apnea might find they have a lot fewer asthma attacks.

GERD. There is no proof that sleep apnea causes acid reflux, but many individuals with sleep apnea complain of acid reflux, and the treatment of it appears to improve apnea symptoms, say sleep physicians.

Auto accidents. Daytime grogginess can put people with sleep apnea at increased potential for falling asleep while at the wheel. Those with sleep apnea are up to five times more likely than ordinary sleepers to have car accidents.

Treating Sleep Apnea

The elevated risk for health problems associated with sleep apnea can be scary, but effective treatment for sleep apnea is obtainable. Generally, a sleep professional will advise a device known as CPAP. While it can take some adjusting, people who use CPAP feel better and are much healthier. Talk to your doctor about addressing your sleep apnea and avoiding related health problems.