The dangers of sleep apnea and heavy snoring are often overlooked and left untreated. A dentist who understands the treatment options for sleep apnea educates patients on the serious health risks that accompany obstructive sleep apnea.
Patients with apnea may awaken from five to more than 10 times per hour and not be aware of waking, but suffer the effects.
Sleep apnea is the cessation of airflow lasting more than 10 seconds, and the majority of sleep apnea sufferers experience several episodes per night. While it may not seem like a pressing danger because the apneic eventually awakens slightly to take the necessary breath, the lack of oxygen to the body, even for a short period of time, can have lasting health effects. When the airway collapses due to negative pressure from the expansion of the lungs, the body experiences a significant drop in oxygen saturation, from 95 percent to as low as 50 percent. This oxygen starvation can cause countless health problems, most notably an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Growth hormones are secreted during sleep, particularly in the first episode of delta sleep. As sleep is interrupted, these secretions may change and negatively affect many systems. Studies are currently being done on the effects of apnea on the hypothalamus and pituitary systems.
We've heard thousands of times how important a good night's rest is to our whole body function and overall health. During sleep apnea events, patients are forced to come out of nourishing REM sleep in order to regain breath. This intermittent interruption throughout the night carries over to the next day, seriously affecting the body's ability to function. Alertness and concentration are easily broken, and patients may experience fatigue and poor productivity as a result of excessive daytime sleepiness.
Health Risks of Sleep Apnea:
Hypertension
Heart attack
Stroke
Depression
Muscle pain
Fibromyalgia
Cardiac arrhythmia
Inefficient metabolism
Loss of short term memory
Weight gain
Gastric reflux
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Severe anxiety
Memory and concentration impairment
Intellectual deterioration
Mood swings/temperamental behavior
Insomnia
Impotence
There is good news for sleep apnea sufferers, however. With proper sleep apnea treatment, you can beat the negative health effects of sleep apnea. Following successful treatment, patients are alert, active, have a higher metabolism, more energy & system functions can completely return to normal. If you or a loved one may be suffering from sleep apnea, contact Hopkins & Shin Dental in Milton (2748 Milton Way) for a full evaluation right away, (253) 927-5501. Also visit http://www.milton-dental.com.
CPAP is the most common medical treatment for apnea. If you cannot tolerate or dislike the mask type treatment, be sure to talk with us about an option you may have using a custom designed appliance to be worn during sleep.