You may not think your snoring or ceased breathing throughout the night is that big of a deal; however, the truth is that when left unchecked, it can have fatal consequences. Living a life that leaves you chronically fatigued and unable to breathe freely while sleeping can begin to take its toll, not only on your daily activities but also on your overall health. Can untreated sleep apnea be fatal? If you find yourself asking this question, it’s time to find out why you should seek professional help.
How Dangerous is Untreated Sleep Apnea?
Snoring can be an annoyance for anyone who might be sharing a bed with you. Ceased breathing throughout the night can cause you to wake multiple or even hundreds of times each night, resulting in daily fatigue. But these are just two of the problems you might face when living with sleep apnea.
Moodiness, loss of libido, forgetfulness, and frequent headaches are also common, but there are more serious and dangerous factors associated with untreated sleep apnea.
Drowsy driving can put you and others on the road at risk. High blood pressure can lead to a stroke, heart attack, and other cardiovascular diseases. Prolonged symptoms that affect your overall health can ultimately lead to death.
The Connection Between Sleep Apnea and Your Health
When you do not seek treatment for your sleep apnea, it will begin to manifest in various ways throughout your body. Whether it is through high blood pressure, diabetes and insulin resistance, pulmonary hypertension, a stroke, or abnormal heart rhythms, the result can be fatal.
As the body continues to suffer through bouts of elevated heart rate because you stop breathing throughout the night, it will begin to wear down your heart and other organs throughout the body.
Researchers have discovered that cardiac death is more common in individuals who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and who are over the age of 60.
While it’s not common for people to die from untreated sleep apnea, it is certainly not impossible. When you combine heart health issues with the inability to sleep and breathe, it can culminate into the “perfect storm,” which can lead to death.
What Kind of Treatment is Available?
If you notice any of the signs commonly associated with sleep apnea, it’s in your best interest not to wait to seek treatment. Finding a qualified and licensed sleep dentist is the ideal first step.
After completing a sleep study and receiving a formal diagnosis, a sleep dentist can then craft a treatment plan that targets the problem with CPAP therapy, oral appliance treatment, lifestyle changes, weight loss treatment, etc.
In many situations, a custom oral device can be enough to improve your sleep patterns and breathing capabilities throughout the night. Shifting the jaw forward just slightly reduces the chances of a blocked airway so that you can breathe freely throughout the night.
Sleep apnea is not something you should ever dismiss or leave untreated. Instead, seek the help you need so that you can live a healthier, fuller, and more well-rested life.About the Practice
Our team at Star Sleep & Wellness in Frisco, our team of sleep experts and specialists want all patients to desire a healthier way of life. When breathing becomes a problem, and rested sleep becomes a pipe dream, we want to be able to deliver treatment that makes going to bed an enjoyable part of the day. Offering various treatment options, our team makes it our mission to improve lives and reduce the possibility of death caused by inadequate sleep. Contact us to find out how we can help you get the rest you need.