Sleep apnea is experienced by over one billion people around the world. People will present with a range of different symptoms, from mild to severe that can impact a person’s quality of life. It has been suggested that obtaining the relevant treatment for this condition can be beneficial to the person experiencing sleep apnea. If sleep apnea goes unchecked, it can become dangerous to the individual.

Here is some more information about sleep apnea, and why sleep apnea is dangerous if it goes unchecked.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea can be defined as when a person’s breathing starts and stops while they are sleeping. This may also lead to loud snoring, a person waking up a lot in the night and choking or gasping in their sleep. It can be disruptive to sleep patterns, and leave a person with a headache, find it difficult to concentrate and feel tired.

The most common type of sleep apnea is called obstructive sleep apnea. This occurs when a person’s airway becomes blocked during the night while a person is sleeping. This could be the tonsils and the tongue as a result of the body relaxing during sleep. It could also be pressure from fatty tissue in the neck.

If the airways are obstructed, it can lead to a lack of airflow in the lungs. This airflow is necessary for the lungs to be able to function properly. If they do not get enough oxygen, it can lead to dangerous consequences.

Why is Sleep Apnea Dangerous If It Goes Unchecked?

Sleep apnea impacts a person’s sleep as well as physiology. These factors pose many dangers to a person if it goes unchecked. Here are some of the most common consequences.

Sleep Deprivation

If a person has sleep apnea, it is going to cause regular disruption to their sleeping patterns. A person might have been in bed for eight hours, but it is the quality of sleep that matters most. Sleep is a vital part of human life, as it is the time when the brain and the body restore themselves for the day.

That’s why a person would feel refreshed when they wake up after a good night’s sleep. This time is used to carry out important functions, such as releasing hormones and proteins, repairing cells and restoring energy. If the body is unable to carry out these functions, it increases a person’s risk to develop chronic disease and lowers a person’s immune system and ability to fight diseases.

Lack of sleep will not only impact a person’s physical body but also their mental health and quality of life. Prolonged sleep deprivation is associated with anxiety and depression, and a person’s ability to cope with life’s challenges. It can also impact a person’s ability to concentrate, conduct day-to-day activities, carry out their work and keep relationships intact. A lack of sleep is more than just feeling tired. It can accumulate a range of issues that can impact a person’s life.

Heart and Lung Health

Sleep apnea stops a person from being able to breathe properly during the night. Breathing is an essential function to deliver oxygen around the body and to the vital organs that need it to stay healthy and working. If the airways are obstructed, then a person is going to be depriving their body of optimal oxygen levels. This can take a toll and begin to damage a person’s heart and lungs. This can be dangerous to leave unchecked.

High Blood Pressure

If a person has sleep apnea that goes unchecked, it can increase the risk of having higher blood pressure. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a result of a drop in oxygen levels. This can put a strain on the cardiovascular system.

Risk of a Heart Attack or Stroke

People who experience sleep apnea, are at a higher risk of having a stroke, as well as other conditions such as a heart attack and hyperlipidemia. This is due to the combination of increased blood pressure as a result of sleep apnea and a lack of oxygen. Getting sleep apnea checked by a ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor is an important step in preventing a stroke or other conditions.

Sleep apnea is a condition that should be taken seriously. If sleep apnea goes unchecked, it can become dangerous and lead to sleep deprivation, damage to a person’s heart and lungs and increases the risk of conditions such as a stroke, heart attack and high blood pressure. Sleep apnea should be checked regularly to ensure the right treatment can be sought.

To learn more, contact ENT Physicians Inc. at (419) 318-4987.