When left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to severe health issues such as cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. This sleep disorder can have negative side effects even with treatment. So, if you have sleep apnea in Las Vegas, talk to your dentist about possible treatment and referrals.
Kinds of Sleep Apnea
A lot of people, particularly overweight men over forty years old, suffer from sleep apnea. If you have sleep apnea, you stop breathing many times during sleep. Sleep apnea comes in three forms:
- Obstructive sleep apnea. This type of sleep apnea happens when the muscles in your throat relax and collapse while you sleep, blocking your airway.
- Central sleep apnea. This sleep apnea is less common than obstructive sleep apnea. This can indicate other health issues. This takes place when your brain does not send the right signals to the muscles in your body that control your breathing.
- Complex sleep apnea syndrome. You can develop this problem when you have both central and obstructive sleep apnea.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can present signs such as loud snoring, breathing stops during sleep, insomnia, daytime drowsiness, and headaches. If you have these symptoms, you must talk to your doctor immediately. Early treatment is vital to keep your condition under control.
Issues with Sleep Apnea
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to different severe health problems. These include the following:
- Heart disease and high blood pressure. Regular sleep disruption can lead to heart disease and high blood pressure. The heart issue you may suffer from happens because the oxygen level in your blood drops. If breathing stops while you sleep, your heart may be suffocating. The fluctuation in blood oxygen level can put a strain on your cardiovascular system and result in serious heart issues.
- Type 2 diabetes. Usually, sleep apnea is associated with obesity. As with obesity, untreated sleep apnea can lead to type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.
- Metabolic syndrome. This disorder includes high blood sugar, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, and increased waist circumstance. When not treated, sleep apnea can lead to metabolic syndrome.
- Medical procedure complications. If you have sleep apnea and are sedated as you lie on your back for a medical procedure, you can suffer from complications. Make sure to inform your doctor about your sleep apnea before you undergo any surgical procedure.
If you are suffering from sleep apnea, you need to see a specialist who can help you live your best life. A reliable medical expert can create a treatment plan for you so you can enjoy a good night’s sleep again.