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Untreated Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can have alarming consequences when left untreated. Many studies have shown an association between sleep apnea and several other serious health conditions (cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, depression, and immune-system deficiencies to name a few). Without treatment the symptoms of these associated conditions can be aggravated by sleep apnea which in many cases can be life-threatening.
Untreated sleep apnea can also negatively impact your quality of life. The restlessness that is associated with this chronic condition often makes it difficult to concentrate, decreases productivity in professional or educational settings, and increases the risk of occupational and driving accidents.
Symptoms
Common signs of Obstructive Sleep Apnea include:
- Snoring
- Witnessed apneas (observed pauses in breathing)
- Gasping or choking during sleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness (fatigue, drowsiness during normal activities like working, reading or driving)
- Morning headaches
- Inability to concentrate
- Difficulties with memory or learning
About Sleep Apnea
Risk Factors
Although anyone can develop Obstructive Sleep Apnea, there are several factors that put you at a greater risk, including:
- Obesity
- Large neck circumference (17 inches or greater in men and 15 inches or greater in women)
- Being male
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Family history of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Asthma
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep Apnea is a serious medical condition where you have one or more interruptions in breathing during sleep. Apnea literally means “cessation of breath,” and is clinically defined as a period without breathing that lasts at least ten seconds. These pauses in breathing can happen in excess of 30 times each hour and can cause the brain to wake the body from deep sleep in order to restore airflow. While this may not wake you up completely, it makes it difficult to reach (or maintain) deep sleep.
There are two main types of sleep apnea:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea, the more common form, occurs when your airway becomes completely or partially blocked due to the relaxation of the muscles and other soft tissues that surround the throat and tongue.
Central Sleep Apnea occurs due to a malfunction in the brain. The brain does not communicate with the muscles that control breathing, so even though the airway remains open with no blockage, there is no airflow.