Dec
11

5 Ways Sleep Apnea Can Affect Your Life

Sleep apnea affects over 12 million people in the US alone. About 1 out of every 25 middle-aged man and 1 out of every 50 middle-aged woman are estimated to have some form of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can cause a variety of other problems and can be very dangerous if left untreated. If you’re feeling overly tired during the day or are not getting good sleep, visit your dentist or doctor to see if sleep apnea is the cause. There are effective treatments for all types of sleep apnea (obstructive, central, complex) that can greatly improve your condition and ensure that you get a good night’s rest.

Here are a 5 ways sleep apnea can affect your life:

  1. Illness: If left untreated, you are automatically at higher risk to develop high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, or diabetes. You are probably also experiencing more frequent headaches and dry or sore throats. You are also at risk for obesity because sleep regulates everything in your body including your appetite and eating patterns.
  2. Heart: Lack of sleep is never a good thing, but it’s especially difficult for your heart. If you have any underlying heart issues, sleep apnea can quickly worsen and damage your heart. It has been known to increase the risk of heart failure.
  3. Accidents: When you’re not fully rested, you are going to have difficulty concentrating. Your motor skills will most likely suffer and you’re more likely to get into or cause accidents. You may not react in time when driving or simply miss a step when walking and trip down the stairs.
  4. Snoring: Not only does loud snoring affect your sleep, it most definitely affects the sleep of those around you. The faster you get treated, the more sleep everyone else in the household can get.
  5. Mood swings: Not getting enough sleep on a daily basis can really mess with your mood. You may become irritable or cranky which can affect your relationships at home and at work. You may also have difficulty concentrating on tasks and have a shorter attention span than normal.

Don’t let sleep apnea control your life. Sleep is very important for all human beings to function normally. Dr. Lorranie Burio of Candlewood Dental Care has been treating patients with sleep apnea and other mouth and teeth related issues for over twenty-five years. If you have any questions call our New Fairfield, CT office at 203-746-1200 or make an appointment here.