It’s just a bad night of sleep—no big deal. That’s what you tell yourself day after day, but could your nightly problems lead to more serious dangers? If it’s sleep apnea and you don’t get treated, it could be a life-or-death situation! You may underestimate the impact that your sleep apnea can have on you and those around you, so keep reading to learn about how it could lead to disaster and why you should get treated.
Impaired Brain Functions
When you are consistently waking up throughout the night, your brain is unable to achieve deep rest. In other words, sleep apnea interrupts an important restorative process in the brain. When you’re awake, you not only feel tired but experience the resulting impacts of fatigue, namely slower response time, memory loss, and inability to focus.
In addition to potentially hindering your daily life, these effects can have deadly consequences, especially when driving a car. Even if you don’t endanger your life or those around you, poor brain functioning can negatively impact your personal and professional relationships. Getting the rest you need can help you be alert and responsive.
Cardiovascular Risks
During sleep, your heart rate and blood pressure should be relatively low because you are at rest. However, when your breathing is interrupted, your brain signals for a panic response, which triggers a spike in your blood pressure. Given enough repetition and time, a higher rate becomes the norm, even while you’re awake.
Higher blood pressure is a serious health risk because it drastically increases the chances of a cardiovascular event like a heart attack or stroke. Treating sleep apnea helps keep your blood pressure under control and reduces this risk.
Mental Health Issues
Waking up each morning feeling tired is not a great way to start the day. In fact, it can make life feel downright hopeless. Studies show that depression and anxiety are more common among sleep apnea sufferers than those who don’t have this condition. Also, sleep apnea can make controlling emotions more difficult, leading to mood swings and irritability, which could lead to fights with loved ones, road rage, and other potentially harmful situations.
Relationship Struggles
One of the more common symptoms of sleep apnea is chronic snoring, which may not only disrupt your own sleep but your partner’s as well. One tired, grumpy person is enough to deal with—you don’t need two! In addition, this sleep disorder has been known to cause sexual dysfunction. Taking care of sleep apnea can help you both have happier nights and days together.
Clearly, sleep apnea is a more severe problem than just waking up tired and having a rough morning. Take it seriously and talk to a sleep dentist who can prescribe an oral appliance, treating sleep apnea and resolving its dangerous symptoms.
About the Author
Dr. Jeff Rodgers is board certified by the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and is a Diplomate of the American Sleep and Breathing Academy. As an expert in the field, he has dedicated his career to improving patients’ rest and changing their lives for the better. At his practice, Sleep Better Georgia, he welcomes those who struggle with CPAP therapy as well. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Rodgers, contact the Dunwoody office online or call 404-252-1221.