SLEEP APNEA’S EFFECTS GO BEYOND NIGHTTIME

For patients with sleep apnea, CPAP treatment compliance may be a matter of life or death. When left untreated, sleep apnea health risks include life-threatening health complications like heart attack and stroke. 

Diabetes 

It isn’t yet known exactly how sleep apnea contributes to type 2 diabetes. However, it is thought that the sleep disorder interferes with the body’s ability to use insulin properly. This may increase the risk of diabetes, a life-threatening medical problem. Improperly managed diabetes can lead to cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, nerve damage, and permanent blindness. 

High Blood Pressure 

Sleep apnea can increase a person’s risk of high blood pressure or hypertension. This happens because temporary ceasing to breathe places additional strain on the cardiovascular system. Because of the disruption in oxygen to the brain, it isn’t as easy for the brain to regulate blood flow. Over time, high blood pressure can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. 

Surgical Complications 

Chronic medical problems aren’t the only health risks of untreated sleep apnea. The condition may also increase the risk of surgical complications. Surgery involves heavily sedating the patient and sometimes placing that patient under general anesthesia. People with sleep apnea are more likely to experience serious breathing problems while sedated.  

Liver Problems 

Studies show that individuals with sleep apnea are more likely to display abnormal results on liver function tests. They might also be more likely to develop nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which involves inflammation and scarring of the liver. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease doesn’t always cause complications. But in severe cases, it may lead to liver failure. 

Get your sleep apnea under control with the CPAP management program available from Sleep Dynamics. Our program includes intensive patient counseling, monitoring, and extensive follow-up services. If you have sleep apnea or suspect that you may have sleep apnea and you live in Monmouth or Ocean county NJ, give us a call today at (848) 217-0240.