Chronic snoring and randomly waking up throughout the night can seem like small inconveniences from having sleep apnea in Baytown. However, this condition has a darker and more dangerous side of it that many people don’t know about. Without proper treatment, obstructive sleep apnea can have detrimental impacts on your overall wellbeing. Read on to learn four ways this sleeping condition can affect your health.
Higher Blood Pressure
If you already have high blood pressure, sleep apnea could make it even worse. Regularly waking up throughout the night can stress your body out and, over time, reduce the amount of oxygen in your blood. This results from your obstructed airways, which affect your breathing pattern and airflow. As your oxygen levels plummet, your cardiovascular system will become strained, increasing your blood pressure.
Heart Disease
As a result of high blood pressure because of your sleeping condition, you may also experience heart disease and an increased risk of heart attacks. This can occur because your heart’s pumping power becomes weaker over time due to the lack of oxygen and nutrients being delivered through your body. As a response to this, the blood flow to your heart will be limited, resulting in chest pain, irregular heartbeat, weakness, and heart attacks.
Type 2 Diabetes
In several clinical studies, researchers have looked at how type 2 diabetes can increase the risk of developing sleep apnea. Additionally, they’ve associated the sleeping condition with insulin resistance, forming a vicious cycle. The best way to break it is to lose weight so you can have better control over both conditions.
Weight Gain
The more weight you have around your neck, the more at risk you are of developing sleep apnea. On the flip side, sleep apnea can make it harder to lose weight. When you attempt to breathe in your sleep at night, extra weight can cause your airways to collapse, impacting your breathing ability and oxygen flow. Sleep apnea can also cause your body to release an excess amount of hormones called ghrelin, which cause you to crave carbs and sweets.
How Can Treatment Make A Difference?
The first step to seeking help for your sleeping condition is to visit a sleep specialist and have a study done. After you receive an official diagnosis, you can explore different treatment options to find out which one works best for you. Sleep dentistry in Baytown offers custom oral appliances that are similar to a retainer. They shift the position of your jaw to open your airways, allowing maximum airflow and reducing your risk of developing these dangerous conditions associated with sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea can be a silent killer and is often associated with minor symptoms like snoring. Being aware of how your condition can impact you is the first step towards improving your quality of life. With an official diagnosis in hand, you can get the rest you deserve by choosing the sleep apnea treatment that is most comfortable for you.
About the Author
Dr. Dean Hutto is constantly advancing his education and sharpening his skills so he can give his patients the highest quality of treatment. He has studied with several world-renowned professionals in the dental field and remains an active member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, along with several other professional organizations. He understands the greater impacts that sleep apnea has on patients, which is why he provides several types of oral appliance therapy to improve their overall wellbeing. For questions or to schedule a consultation, visit Sleep Better Baytown’s website or call 281-422-8248.