Dangers of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a very serious condition affecting many millions of Americans. When we sleep, the muscles in our body relax. For people with obstructive sleep apnea, their tongue and throat muscles actually relax to the point of falling back on their airway and preventing air from flowing in and out of their lungs. Loud snoring tends to be a common symptom, along with waking up in the middle of the night gasping for air. If this condition goes untreated, there can be dangerous complications.

When people who are suffering from obstructive sleep apnea wake up, they often do not feel refreshed from their nighttime rest. This can lead to a continued drowsiness throughout the day, making driving and operating heavy machinery especially dangerous. Part of the reason it is so dangerous other than lacking the necessary concentration, is the unfortunate occurrence of your body falling asleep throughout the course of the day to compensate for the lack of rest that was received the night before. This condition can also lead to headaches, forgetfulness, irritability, and depression.

In addition to the day-to-day issues experienced by those suffering from sleep apnea, there are long term implications as well. Sleep apnea has been linked to high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke, and diabetes. And even common infections can be harder to recover from, as you are not getting the rest necessary in order to recuperate.

Treatment options are available for treating obstructive sleep apnea. They include lifestyle changes, mouth devices, and continuous positive airway pressure devices. Contact our sleep apnea dentist in North Hollywood to learn which treatment option may be best for your needs.