Dangers of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is more than a minor inconvenience. Having sleep apnea in Columbia, SC can put you at a greater risk for a variety of health problems. The disorder may lead to high blood pressure and stroke. It can also affect your memory. Symptoms include forgetfulness, poor concentration, and mood swings. This can cause a negative impact on your work and relationships.

How Sleep Apnea Endangers Health

While it is not known if sleep apnea directly causes heart disease, the stress of having frequent apnea episodes is enough to make a person more susceptible to developing heart disease. This is because the heart is under stress when you wake up and the panic response is high. The disorder causes the body to go without oxygen for brief periods of time, which strains the heart. When the brain triggers this pause in breathing, blood pressure in the patient rises. This increases the risk for cardiac arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation. It can also increase the risk for heart attacks.

Risk Factors of Sleep Apnea

If you are overweight or have a family history of high blood pressure, you are more at risk for developing sleep apnea. This is because weight gain can worsen the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. Another reason that you are at a higher risk for sleep apnea is if you have nasal congestion or a nasal structure that makes it difficult for you to breathe properly.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

A person with apnea will often wake up with a headache, shortness of breath, or a sore throat. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should consult with your physician. Snoring is not always a sign of sleep apnea, but it is a common symptom for people with this condition. Alternatively, you might have a dry mouth during the night which can cause a choking sensation.

Diagnosing Sleep Apnea

If you think you may have sleep apnea, consider consulting a sleep apnea specialist. This will allow your doctor to determine whether you have obstructive sleep apnea. If you are diagnosed with this disorder, you may have the opportunity to take an overnight sleep study. This test will measure your breathing while you are sleeping.

Talk to your Columbia, SC dentist about any concerns you have about sleep apnea. We can help you and your physician to resolve or treat the problem.