How Sleep Apnea Can Negatively Affect Your Overall Health

Sleep apnea does far more than just affect the quality of sleep you’re getting each night. Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition where the soft tissues in your throat relax to the point that your airway becomes cut off, affecting your breathing. When this happens, it can lead to a chain of events that puts your overall health at risk.

Stress Hormones & Heart Disease

One of the biggest health concerns when it comes to sleep apnea is the cardiovascular risk it brings. When your air flow stops during sleep apnea, your body becomes understandably stressed, releasing stress hormones. This strain, in turn, can contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

Daytime Fatigue

We’ve all been there where we didn’t get a good night’s sleep and we felt the effects the next morning if not the whole day. This is the case with sleep apnea. When you’re unable to get restorative sleep due to sleep apnea, you may suffer from serious daytime drowsiness. That drowsiness may make it difficult to concentrate at work or school, may increase your risk when driving vehicles, and may make you feel routinely ill-tempered.

Other Medical Conditions

Sleep apnea is also known to increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, liver problems, and abnormal cholesterol. Some people also find that sleep apnea worsens their asthma symptoms. All of these are reasons why it’s crucial to treat sleep apnea as soon as possible in order to protect your total wellness.

Sleep Apnea Treatment at Dental Solutions of Avon/Indy

If you think you suffer from sleep apnea, schedule a consultation at Dental Solutions of Avon/Indy today. It can be difficult to self-diagnose the condition, which is why you should always consult a trained medical professional. We provide sleep apnea treatment at our dental practice in Indianapolis, and we’re here to get you back on track to great health. Our experienced doctors are also happy to answer any questions you might have about sleep apnea or other dental concerns. Just call or email us today!