Sleep Apnea Complications – Plano, TX
The Consequences of Ignoring Sleep Apnea
Do you have trouble staying asleep at night, often wake up feeling more tired than when you went to sleep, and suffer from daily morning headaches? You may be suffering from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can be obstructive or central. Obstructive is caused by a physical blockage of air to the lungs, and central occurs when the body is not breathing due to a malfunction of the central nervous system. Whatever type of apnea you suffer from, leaving it alone is not an option. Untreated sleep apnea can cost you countless nights of good sleep, but more importantly, it could also cost you your life. Don’t force yourself to suffer from sleep apnea; call Sleep Rehab to find out more about how you can get a good night’s rest and address many sleep apnea complications in Plano, TX.
Why Choose Sleep Rehab for Sleep Apnea Treatment?
- Oral Appliances Customized for Each Patient
- Knowledgeable and Caring Team
- Medical Insurance Gladly Accepted
Sleep Rehab Snoring, Sleep Apnea and TMJ Can Help
Patients who suffer from sleep apnea repeatedly stop breathing throughout the night, stopping the flow of oxygen to the brain and other biological systems. The brain signals the body to awaken so breathing will restart. The constant reawakening causes the body to miss out on the regenerative sleep cycles; this, coupled with oxygen deprivation, can be extremely dangerous. Different people suffer from apnea in their own way. Some patients have 100 or more incidents that last just a few seconds, while others have a dozen incidents that can last a minute or more. It’s essential to proper treatment that you be diagnosed via a sleep test. That way, we can know with certainty that you suffer from sleep apnea and how it affects your sleep cycle.
Associated Sleep Apnea Complications
- Fatigue – This includes the apnea sufferer’s fatigue caused by frequent sleep interruptions as well as the fatigue suffered by people who share a living space with the aforementioned apnea sufferer. Sleep apnea frequently causes loud snoring for extended periods of time, which can cause loved ones to wake up throughout the night. Those who share a bed with sufferers are the most drastically affected. Health risks associated with fatigue are incidents of “excessive daytime sleepiness.” Said incidents may cause patients to fall asleep at inappropriate times and in inappropriate places including at work, school, or while driving. Memory loss, depression, mood swings, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder can also result from fatigue associated with sleep apnea.
- High Blood Pressure/Heart Problems – The repeated stopping of breath causes your heart to pump more quickly once breathing resumes and oxygen is restored to the bloodstream. Repeated strain on the heart can raise blood pressure and lead to arrhythmia, stroke, atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure, and other cardiovascular diseases.
- Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) – According to numerous studies, NAFLD is more prevalent in people with sleep apnea than those without. Control groups accounted for the contribution of obesity to NAFLD and sleep apnea. In a group of obese adults with and without sleep apnea, those with apnea were at a much higher risk. Fatty liver is caused by insulin resistance, and further research is being conducted to determine any direct correlation between apnea and insulin resistance. Regardless of any causal relationship, patients who suffer from NAFLD or sleep apnea should be examined for both conditions.
Sleep Apnea Risks
You should be aware of your sleep cycle. If you experience extreme tiredness, awakening frequently throughout the night, morning headaches, awakening with a dry mouth or a sore throat, or loud snoring, you may wish to be tested for sleep apnea.
Get More Information
Patients who suffer from sleep apnea don’t have to. In many cases, a simple oral appliance can open your airway, allowing you to rest easily. If you have any symptoms of sleep apnea, Dr. Fedosky and his dedicated sleep apnea team are here to help you get a great night’s sleep and improve your health. Call to schedule an appointment today. Our Plano, TX office welcomes patients from nearby areas including Sunnyvale, Mesquite, Rowlett, Wylie, and Sachse.