Sleep apnea is more common than you might think. In fact, approximately 30 million Americans are suffering from it. However, only 6 million people have received a diagnosis. What many people don’t realize is that sleep apnea can have a significant impact on life expectancy. This condition can have serious effects on your health. Read on to learn more about sleep apnea, how it affects lifespan, and which treatment options are available.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder that causes breathing to repetitively cease as one sleeps. Most people who have sleep apnea experience a variety of symptoms, like loud snoring and daytime sleepiness. The most common type of sleep apnea is called “obstructive sleep apnea.” This is when the airway narrows during sleep, leading to breathing disruptions. These reduce the quality of sleep and can lead to some serious consequences when they aren’t addressed.
How Does Sleep Apnea Impact Life Expectancy?
Sleep apnea results in serious consequences when it is left untreated. This includes issues that can be life-threatening, like diabetes, high blood pressure, liver complications, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, obesity, and more. These conditions can make you very sick, and they can even shorten your lifespan. In fact, a 2020 data review found that people with sleep apnea were 74% more likely to die of any cause. Sleep apnea increases the risk of heart failure by 140% and the risk of coronary heart disease by 30%. Fortunately, by seeking treatment, you can keep sleep apnea and related conditions at bay.
How Can Sleep Apnea Be Treated?
CPAP treatment has been the go-to treatment for sleep apnea sufferers for many years. However, it isn’t the best option for everyone. A lot of people find that these machines are uncomfortable and difficult to use consistently. The good news is that there are other options, like oral appliances. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has made recommendations for patients who are suffering from mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea to consider oral appliance therapy from a qualified dentist. This involves wearing a customized oral sleep appliance when you sleep. This helps to keep your jaw in proper position and keep your airway open, allowing you to breathe easily throughout the night. Many patients find success with a combination of CPAP therapy and oral appliance therapy, while others see improvement from oral appliance therapy alone.
The longer that you leave your sleep apnea untreated, the more dangerous it becomes. By getting the help you need, you can prolong your life!
About the Author
Dr. Jeff Rodgers has been in private practice for over two decades! He is a Diplomate of both the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine (ABDSM) and the American Sleep and Breathing Academy (ASBA). He is a board-certified expert in sleep and is committed to raising awareness of sleep issues and oral appliance therapy. To learn more about sleep apnea or to schedule an appointment at his office in Dunwoody, visit his website or call (770) 394-4310.