Sleep Apnea: A Dangerous Disorder
Sleep apnea affects the lives of millions of people. Untreated sleep apnea can cause many other health problems. Indeed, untreated sleep apnea costs Americans 22 billion dollars annually. The misperception that sleep apnea is merely a snoring problem is far from the truth. A person with this condition not only snores, but also completely stops breathing for short intervals of time. This can happen hundreds of time throughout the night. The long-term effects this has on the body should not be ignored.
When sleep apnea is not properly treated, a person will begin to suffer from many other health problems, some of which can be life-threatening. This increase in health problems costs the average person with sleep apnea more than thirteen hundred dollars each year in health care costs. Luckily, treatment options are plentiful, and most people are able to manage their symptoms or altogether rid themselves of the sleep disorder.
Understanding the Dangers
Problematic effects of sleep apnea come in two forms. Each of these can lead to a variety of health problems or risks.
1. Unhealthy Sleep
As with many sleep disorder, those suffering from sleep apnea are often run down and tired each day. Sleep apnea sufferers are loud snorers, but they also stop breathing for thirty or so seconds at a time. This results in panicked gasps for air as the body reacts to perceived suffocation. Stress hormones are released as a result of the traumatic event. This happens throughout the night, and consequently a person is never able to sleep deeply.
This lack of quality sleep results in excessive daytime sleepiness. This can become so bad, that a person may fall asleep at work, while talking on the phone, or eating dinner. They may even fall asleep at the wheel. There are documented cases of traffic accidents resulting from the effects of sleep apnea. It is best to avoid driving until sleep apnea is treated.
Concentrating becomes exceedingly difficult with such poor sleep. Memory problems prevail. Learning new or complicate task can seem almost impossible to someone who suffers from sleep apnea.
Psychological problems accompany sleep apnea too. Depression can be caused or exacerbated by the effects of this sleep disorder. Moodiness is common. Anxiety generally increases.
2. Not Enough Oxygen
The strained breathing and periodic stops in respiration make it impossible for an appropriate oxygen supply to be maintained. This results in over taxing of the cardiovascular system. The heart must work harder to try to get enough oxygen to critical organs.
Cardiovascular problems tend to increase due to sleep apnea. The heart generally works harder than normally because the bloods oxygen level is lower. This strain increases the risk of heart attacks and stroke. It is possible to suddenly die during sleep due to heart problems from sleep apnea. Most traumatic heart problems occur during the day when a person is active. Unfortunately, it can be more difficult to get help in the middle of the night.
Sleep apnea doesn’t have to lead to so many problems. In fact, it is easily treated by a many different treatments. However, a person must take the time to see a sleep specialist or doctor. If someone you know suffers from sleep apnea then let them know the dangers.
When it comes sleep apnea, treatment should be taken seriously. Get help as soon as possible, and you can avoid many of the more serious consequences.
You can find plenty of information about sleep apnea on the internet. For additional information take a look at this website on sleep apnea.
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