How Heart Disease and Sleep Apnea Put Your Health at Risk

If you’ve been snoring loudly and gasping for air during the night, both are possible signs of sleep apnea. You haven’t noticed any other issues, though; does that mean that the noise from your snoring is all you’ll have to worry about? Don’t be so sure! It may be a while before all the side effects of your sleep-disordered breathing appear, but when they do, your health and the quality of your everyday life will very likely be in danger. Below are some possible health issues you might eventually suffer due to sleep apnea; read on to learn why they need to be avoided at all costs.

Heart Disease

The lack of oxygen when you stop breathing makes it harder for the brain to control blood flow, and the stress on your body can raise your blood pressure. Both factors bode poorly for your cardiovascular health. The American Heart Association warns of a very strong correlation between sleep apnea and heart attacks as well as strokes; the more severe the sleep disorder is and the longer it goes untreated, the higher your risk of such heart conditions will be.

Sudden Weight Gain

Did you know that your appetite may change depending on how much quality sleep you get? Your body relies on the hormones leptin and ghrelin to tell it when to start and stop eating; leptin suppresses appetite while ghrelin makes you feel hungry. When sleep apnea disrupts your sleep, your body starts producing more ghrelin and less leptin, which can cause you to eat more than you normally would; you may even start craving sweets in particular. The result? A sudden weight gain could make your sleep apnea symptoms even worse (due to fatty deposits in the neck that can collapse and block the airway at night).

Car Accidents

Poor sleep likely leaves you feeling extremely tired during the day. This can make it harder to function at your best throughout the day, but it’s especially a problem when you’re on the road. Because of the risk of falling asleep at the wheel, you’ll be five times more likely to get in an automobile accident than someone who’s sleeping normally.

What to Do About Sleep Apnea

As frightening as all the above issues might sound, they can typically be avoided simply by treating your sleep apnea. One common solution is CPAP therapy, which keeps the airway open with a steady stream of air. CPAP machines are highly effective, but because they tend to be noisy, not all patients can tolerate them. In those cases, a convenient, comfortable oral appliance is recommended instead; these devices keep the airway free of obstruction by holding your lower jaw forward.

At the first sign of trouble, you should talk to an expert in treating sleep apnea about being diagnosed with the disorder. Waiting too long could be dangerous; seek out care immediately and take control of your sleep again!