Now that you know some of the most common reasons you may have sleep apnea, it is time to get into why sleep apnea can be dangerous.
If sleep apnea is left untreated, it can raise your risk of developing a host of other serious conditions including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and more. Here are some of the most common medical conditions that sleep apnea can cause or contribute to:
Heart disease-heart attacks are common with sleep apnea patients because of the decreased oxygen and the stress of waking up often.
Type 2 Diabetes-Sleep apnea is incredibly common with Type 2 Diabetes patients. Interestingly, 80% of Type 2 Diabetes patients are obese. Not getting adequate sleep could keep your body from using insulin correctly, thus leading to diabetes.
High Blood Pressure-When you wake up frequently throughout the night, your body is in a stressed state which boosts your blood pressure. Additionally, the lessened amount of oxygen causes difficulty breathing, which only adds to the problem.
Car Accidents-When you do not get quality sleep throughout the night, you are at a high risk of falling asleep at the wheel. In fact, sleep apnea sufferers are five times more likely to have an accident on the road than their non-apnea counterparts.
These are some of the most common dangers of sleep apnea. They are scary and can be life-threatening, however there are treatment options available.
Dr. George Georgaklis is an official member of the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, which is the largest association of dentists who specialize in craniofacial pain and sleep medicine. After many awards and knowledge on craniofacial pain, members of this organization are some of the most educated and trusted professionals in the industry. Dr. George offers affordable therapies and treatments for sleep apnea which can be highly effective in reducing discomfort and help prevent some of the more severe health risks associated with sleep apnea. Call Dr. George today at 858-552-1223 or contact us!
