Just as your body needs a certain amount of food and water to stay healthy and function well, it also needs a certain amount of sleep. Missing out on a few hours of rest here and there might not seem to be a big deal, but the reality is that over time, this can cause serious medical issues. Sleep disorders like sleep apnea ultimately interfere with the body’s ability to regulate essential functions, increasing risk of life-threatening complications.
Fortunately, treating your condition will not only help you rest better, but also live longer!
How Sleep Apnea Impacts You
The most common type of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, occurs when over-relaxed oral tissue or jaw misalignment blocks the airway, making it more difficult for your body to get oxygen while you rest. As a result, the brain “panics,” and will disrupt your sleep by waking you up entirely or by pulling you out of REM.
This means that your body doesn’t get the chance to fully re-energize cells and regulate things like blood pressure and hormones. Poor quality sleep is more harmful than many people think!
Sleep Apnea Increases Risk of Serious Medical Conditions
Because patients with sleep apnea often have hormonal and oxygen level imbalances, they’re at a greatly increased risk for serious medical conditions, some of which can become fatal. For example:
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Heart attack and cardiovascular disease
- Respiratory illness
- Cognitive impairment or decline
Treatment Helps You Avoid Health Complications
By treating your sleep apnea and managing your symptoms, you can breathe easy at night, achieve better quality sleep, and improve your overall health. Nowadays, CPAP isn’t your only option. A qualified sleep dentist can provide you with a customized oral sleep appliance designed to shift airway obstructions in your mouth out of the way. Depending on the severity of your condition, all you have to do is wear it at night on its own or in combination with CPAP.
Sleep doesn’t just help you feel well-rested and energized! It’s almost as important for your health and wellbeing as eating regular meals and staying hydrated. So if you suspect your nights are interrupted by sleep apnea, talk to your doctor about getting a sleep study and timely treatment.
About the Author
Dr. John Jared Waite has completed advanced training for sleep apnea treatment and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. In other words, he’s well-qualified to help you find the right sleep apnea treatment solution for you and can provide you with an effective oral sleep appliance. To contact his office and schedule a sleep apnea consultation, call 719-282-3400.