If you or a loved one deals with sleep apnea, you’re probably acutely aware of what a struggle it can be. Being unable to sleep through the night can easily lead to overwhelming fatigue, along with a host of other serious health conditions.
In fact, sleep apnea can be such an issue that leaving the condition untreated could lead to serious issues and may even shorten your lifespan. If you’re curious, here’s what you should know about the consequences of poor sleep.
Sleep Apnea and Life Expectancy
Many of the benefits of sleep apnea treatment are easy to see if you’ve ever dealt with the condition. Being able to sleep soundly can do wonders for your mood and your health—according to recent research, it may even extend your lifespan.
One recent study found that sleep apnea patients who used a CPAP machine had a 62% decreased risk of mortality over the course of the next 11 years. If this is to be believed, that would make treating sleep apnea one of the best things you can do for your health.
The Side Effects of Sleep Apnea
There are many reasons why treating sleep apnea could greatly improve your health outcomes. One of the biggest has to do with cardiovascular health. When you have sleep apnea, your body is jolted awake dozens of times a night due to a persistent inability to breathe. Every time you wake up your body thinks that it’s choking causing your blood pressure to skyrocket and your body to go into a short panic.
This happens so often that it can affect your cardiovascular health in general, leading to a higher risk of heart disease among patients with untreated sleep apnea.
Common Sleep Apnea Treatments
The CPAP machine is the most common way of dealing with sleep apnea. This is a mask connected to a machine that pushes air into the airway, ensuring that you’re able to breathe.
CPAP machines are nearly 100% effective but can also pretty uncomfortable. Many patients prefer oral appliances to treat sleep apnea, which tend to be easier to wear overnight. If you’re curious about which of these treatments are available to you, talk to a sleep dentist or doctor about your condition.
About Our Practice
At True North Dental Group, we’re proud to be a team of experienced professionals who our patients can put their full trust in. We also know how hard it can be to not be able to get a full night’s sleep—that’s why we work so hard to help our sleep apnea patients. When you visit our office, you’ll find a dental team who is more than happy to help you with whatever issue you have, providing you with a treatment plan perfectly customized to your needs.
If you have any questions about sleep apnea treatment, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (518) 563-7620.