Sleep apnea is a sleep related disorder which causes breathing to sporadically stop and start. If left untreated, this disorder can last for decades or even your entire life, putting you at serious risk of potentially fatal side effects caused by sleep apnea. If you are suffering from sleep apnea in Chicago, here are some of the negative effects sleep apnea has on the body, and why you should tell your doctor about it as soon as possible.
Reduced oxygen circulation
The source problem from which all other side effects happen as a result, the constant stopping and starting of breathing caused by sleep apnea means that the brain and other organs aren’t getting as much oxygen as they usually do. Gone unchecked, this can result in an entire list of health problems. Some of which can be fatal.
Heart problems
With less oxygen circulating throughout the body, the heart will pump more blood faster to compensate. If it does this too long it can result in irregular heartbeats, heart attacks, and even strokes. This also causes certain chemicals in the bloodstream that cause inflammation and elevations in blood sugar to rise, further damaging the heart and blood vessels. This increase in blood sugar can also lead to diabetes.
Mental problems
The brain is perhaps the most delicate organ in the body. So much as pressing against the wall of the skull a bit too hard can have irreparable consequences on the body for the rest of your life. Its constant supply of oxygen from the heart is the only thing between you and the coma ward. So, it should go without saying that suddenly and sporadically cutting off oxygen to the brain can be disastrous to your health.
Severe headaches are the best-case scenario for you, but it rarely stops there. People with sleep apnea have been shown to be more irritable and more prone to depression. Those with ADHD saw their condition only get worse. Eventually it becomes hard for people with sleep apnea to perform even basic functions around the house.
Premature death
Given how sleep apnea is connected to so many serious health issues, any combination of the above can result in premature death. If you already have a weak heart as it is, the beginning stages of sleep apnea can prove just as daunting as later stages, as your heart works itself to death trying to keep you alive. Not to mention the risk of multiple strokes and heart disease.
Sleep apnea is nothing to ignore or brush off. It’s completely treatable, and a majority of hospitals have the means to treat you. If you suspect you might have sleep apnea, contact your doctor as soon as possible for recommended treatment. Visit https://www.artofmoderndentistry.com/ to know more information.