Having to deal with a snorer next to you all night is terrible enough on its own. You might not feel as refreshed when you wake up, and you might be disturbing your partner. Nevertheless, that's not all. Your sleep apnea may be more severe than you realize.
Sleep apnea is a disease in which you stop breathing several times while sleeping. Stopping your breath causes your brain to awaken, so you can start breathing again quickly. Your natural sleep rhythms are disrupted, making it impossible to get a good night's rest.
Sleep apnea is dangerous since it might cause further health issues. A sleep study might be requested by a patient who experiences recurrent breathing problems to rule out Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Sleep apnea is divided up into the following groups:
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Mild:5-14episodesperhour
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Moderate: 5-15 episodes per hour
- Severe: if there are more than 30 episodes per hour, the situation is considered
severe
In addition, it is essential to track the level to which these episodes lead to oxygen deprivation. Hypoxemia is a serious health condition in which arterial oxygen saturation values are less than 90%.
Oxygen levels can drop dangerously low when breathing stops for a period of time due to apnea, especially if the patient has heart or lung disease. Hence, the body may be subjected to increased stress during the night. Short-term and long-term consequences of oxygen deprivation are possible.
Can Sleep Apnea Kill You?
It is very unlikely that you will die from sleep apnea-related breathing problems, and you won't suddenly stop breathing. But obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can make it more likely to get serious health problems, some of which can be fatal.
Short-term Risks
Stopping breathing suddenly increases the risk of cardiac arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, heart attack, and stroke.
Interestingly, REM sleep and sleep apnea are more common in the morning, so this may be why. Researchers have found that patients with OSA have a 2.5 times greater chance of dying suddenly in their sleep anytime between midnight and 6 a.m.
The good news is that therapy with a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine and other options, such as dental appliances, can lower the risk of most serious problems, such as long-term heart problems.
Chronic Risks
Sleep-disordered breathing can be very bad for your health if you don't treat it. Hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease may all become more common if this happens.
Besides contributing to mental health issues like sadness and forgetfulness, it can make you tired during the day and make accidents more likely.
While OSA itself isn't fatal, many of the complications it can bring about are. That's why treating sleep apnea is crucial to avoid negative health consequences.
When to See a Doctor?
If left untreated, sleep-disordered breathing has been shown to have serious effects on one's health. Hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease may all become more common if this happens.
Besides contributing to mental health issues like sadness and forgetfulness, it can make you tired during the day and make accidents more likely.
While OSA itself isn't fatal, many of the complications it can bring about are. That's why treating sleep apnea is crucial to avoid negative health consequences.
In Conclusion
Some potentially fatal diseases have been linked to sleep apnea. High blood pressure and other chronic conditions may be exacerbated or brought on by this. Sudden cardiac arrest is a potential complication of sleep apnea.
Ask your doctor about getting tested for sleep apnea if you have a history of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, or any other chronic illness. Getting a CPAP mask and seeing a sleep doctor may be part of the treatment plan.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, treating it is a must for improving your quality of life and saving your life.