5 Sleep Apnea Health Risks You Should Know About

Sleep apnea is a common problem for residents of Carmel, IN, and beyond.

Experts estimate that it affects 936 million people aged 30-69 worldwide. The only problem is, many of us just don’t we have it.

While sleep apnea is usually associated with snoring, there are several other side affects of sleep apnea that are dangerous for your physical and mental health. Here are five of them:

1. Heart Disease

Since obstructive sleep apnea involves blockage of your airways during sleep, it deprives the body from oxygen. This can increase the risk of a heart attack or other cardiovascular issues, especially if it goes untreated. 

2. Drowsy Driving

Sleep apnea reduces your ability to fall into rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Since your body is constantly being interrupted, it never gets the sleep it truly needs. This can cause fatigue throughout the day, which is especially dangerous for drivers.

3. Depression

Studies have shown that sleep problems may be directly related with mental illnesses like depression. This is likely due to the fact that anything interrupting your body’s “clock” can affect your mood.

4. Headaches

People with sleep apnea also tend to suffer from headaches, especially in the morning. Since sleep apnea stresses your body, it increases tension and headaches are a natural result of that.

5. High Blood Pressure

Also related to body stress, high blood pressure can occur if sleep apnea goes untreated for an extended period of time. Increased stress leads to rising blood pressure, which can damage your arteries and cause plaque to build up.

The good news is that all of these sleep apnea health risks can be avoided with sleep apnea dentistry. From nightguards to snoring appliances, Dr. Smith at Really Smile can design a solution to fit your needs. If you’re interested in one, schedule a consult today!