The Risks of Untreated Sleep Apnea: Why Treatment Matters
Interruption of breathing during sleep or apnea is one of the most popular sleep disorders, disturbing the lives of millions of inhabitants of our planet. It is characterized by interruptions of breathing or by reduced breathing rates during sleep. Such pauses can range from several seconds to several minutes, and the interruptions can recur multiple times during the night. People may have occasional symptoms that make breathing difficult during sleep or completely severe sleep apnea that will negatively affect their health. As this article will show, leaving sleep apnea untreated is dangerous and the stakes of receiving adequate treatment are high.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition that affects a persons breathing pattern while he/she is sleeping. There are three main types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): It is the most typical form of sleep apnea where the muscles in the throat relax and the air tubes narrowing during slumber.
- Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): In this type, the brain does not send the signals to muscles that control breathing thus causing gaps in breathing.
- Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome (CSAS): This type mixed OSA and CSA, meaning that the ill person experience both kinds of apneas.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can cause a range of symptoms, including:
- Loud snoring
- Squealing, suffocating, struggling to breathe or outright choking at night.
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Distraction or back or memory impairments
- Irritability or mood swings
- Cough, or sore throat in the morning.
- Insomnia or restless sleep
The men had an increased risk of several cardiovascular disorders, including heart failure and stroke, if they continued untreated sleep apnea, according to a study.
Unaddressed sleep apnea is associated with other health issues and challenges
- Cardiovascular Problems: Suffering from sleep apnea put a person at higher risk of developing hypertension, arrhythmias, heart attacks and stroke. The present study explains that interruptions in oxygen levels during sleep create pressure on the heart, which results in such conditions.
- Type 2 Diabetes: Remedial sleep apnea has an impact on glucose metabolism and contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes. According to some researchers, sleep apnea has potential to lead to insulin antagonist which, in turn causes diabetes.
- Depression and Anxiety: A review of sleep apnea that if left unaddressed, it can lead to severe insomnia, which in turn leads to depression, anxiety disorders. Lack of sleep can also cause or worsen mental disorders, therefore it becomes difficult for people to control their condition.
- Poor Work Performance: Instead, people suffer from sleep apnea have day time fatigue and tendency to sleep, which are likely to affect their work stamina. This can result to lowered performance, higher levels of truancy and even dismissal from work.
- Drowsy Driving and Accidents: The sleep apnea results in daytime sleep especially while driving hence increasing the risk of accidents and drowsy driving. This can be of grave outcomes to the individual and other people on the roads.
- Weakened Immune System: The illness also tends to impair the immune system making it difficult for the body to first a range of infections and diseases. This can put that individual at a higher risk of getting sick and also takes time to recover from a disease, sickness or infection.
But since sleep apnea is fraught with the health dangers mentioned above, it is important to go for the correct course of treatment. Treatment options for sleep apnea include:
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): This is the most elaborate treatment of the sleep apnea condition and involves the use of a mask during sleep that constantly supplies air to the patient.
- Oral Appliances: These devices are worn in the mouth while sleeping in order to shift the lower jaw forward in an effort to keep the airway open.
- Surgery: In some instances surgical procedures include surgical removal of tissue in the throat, restructuring the jaw or the skull so as to keep the airway open during sleep.
- Lifestyle Changes: Admission to weight loss, smoking cessation, and abstention from alcohol and sedatives may contribute towards reduction of the symptoms of sleep apnea in some patients.
- Regular Follow-ups: A patient should follow up with the sleep specialist after the treatment is begun in order to monitor the effectiveness and possible changes in the case.
Conclusion
Essentially, sleep apnea is a severe sleep disorder with effects that worsen significantly when the condition is left untreated. The complications of unmanaged sleep apnea include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, depression, reduced job productivity, traffic accidents caused by excessive daytime sleepiness, and compromised immune function. These risks highlight the importance of proper sleep apnea treatment to enhance overall health and well-being. Treatment options include using a CPAP machine, oral devices, surgery, and behavior modifications. Regular follow-ups with a sleep specialist are essential for monitoring progress and adjusting sleep apnea treatment as needed. If you suspect that you or someone you care for may have sleep apnea, it’s crucial to visit a doctor to explore effective ways to manage and treat the condition.
