Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder that's causing your breathing to pause frequently while you're sleeping. The breathing stops just for a short period as your body reacts by waking you up.
These continuous interrupted sleep cycles will not only make for a poor night's sleep but can also lead to some serious health problems.
Read on to learn about the effects sleep apnea can have on your body and what you can do to treat it.
Here are eight health problems that sleep apnea can cause:
Frequently interrupted sleep cycles can stress your body. As a result, your body releases more cortisol, the stress hormone, which can increase blood pressure levels.
It's been found that people with sleep apnea are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Not resting properly during the night can affect your body's ability to use insulin properly, which can lead to type 2 diabetes.
Your digestive system can also suffer if you have sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea often develop a fatty liver or gastroesophageal reflux disease. This condition can interrupt your sleep even further and make it more difficult for you to get proper rest.
Because your body is deprived of oxygen for short but constant periods during the night, your brain's ability to control the blood flow can be affected. And, because your arteries aren't getting enough blood, you may develop heart disease.
Insufficient sleep will cause your body to release more ghrelin, a hormone that makes you crave sweets and carbs. Not only that, but, because your body is tired and not working under proper parameters, it's not able to transform food into energy, which can lead to weight gain.
Have you noticed how it's so hard to focus after a poor night's sleep? Sleep disorders make it difficult for you to get the rest you need, which can lead to mental fog or even memory problems.
Insufficient and poor sleep can also increase your chances of depression.
Sleep apnea can severely impact your health and shouldn't be ignored. If you are looking for solutions, the team at Stevens Dental can help you.
Firstly, you will be given a Home Sleep Test so that we can gain a better understanding of your disorder. We will examine your sleep patterns and habits so that we can come up with the best treatment plan for your specific needs.
Depending on the severity of your condition, you may be able to manage your sleep apnea with something as simple as an oral appliance. If the condition is more severe, then you may require oral surgery or CPAP treatment (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure.)
Do you have more questions about the sleep apnea treatment Stevens Dental offers?
Contact us now to book your appointment.
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