Is Sleep Apnea Really a Threat?
April 5, 2018
If you know that you have sleep apnea, then you likely already know the dangers of ignoring the condition. Also referred to as OSA, obstructive sleep apnea describes a disorder during which you persistently stop breathing in your sleep. However, patients who experience it aren’t always aware of the episodes that stop them from entering deep sleep. Therefore, patients who have yet to be diagnosed with sleep apnea often aren’t aware of the threat that sleep apnea can pose to their systemic wellbeing.
The Details About Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea isn’t a widely discussed issue, but it affects millions of people of all ages across the United States. The sleep disorder is caused by mouth and throat tissues collapsing into your airway while you sleep, increasingly obstructing your airway until you stop breathing completely. As your airway becomes more constricted, your breathing becomes noisier, which is why OSA is often confused with simple chronic snoring. However, the noise stops when your airway is completely obstructed, which forces your mind and body to wake up and start breathing again.
What OSA Can Lead To
An OSA episode can occur in a matter of seconds, and they can repeat themselves hundreds of times a night. This means you never get the chance to enter deep, R.E.M. sleep, which is necessary for your brain and body’s cells to rest and repair themselves. Overtime, this prolonged sleep and oxygen deprivation have a significant impact on your health in several ways, leading to increased risks of cardiovascular disease, declining mental health and cognition, depression, and more.
Mitigate the Threat of Your Sleep Apnea
Untreated sleep apnea is a threat for many reasons, but fortunately, you can mitigate the threat by seeking professional treatment from your dentist. To learn more, or to schedule a cosmetic consultation, call Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City, MO, today at 816-427-4018.