Overcome the Effects of Untreated Sleep Apnea with a Minimally Invasive Treatment

Most likely, you’re aware that maintaining a regular exercise routine and adopting a healthy diet is vital for sustaining your physical and mental well-being. However, did you know quality sleep is essential for your health, too? Sleep helps your body rest, recover, and rejuvenate. And not only that. There is a direct relationship between sleep and improved immunity, helping you reduce the risk of heart disease, depression, diabetes, and other ailments. 

Unfortunately, if you have sleep apnea, you can’t get the adequate sleep required by the body. But does that mean you resign to this fate? The doctors at Triad Dentistry disagree. If you suspect sleep apnea, seek treatment immediately before your health takes a nosedive. We offer a simple yet effective treatment to help you overcome sleep apnea. 

What is sleep apnea?

The term “sleep apnea” comes from the Greek words “apnoea,” meaning “without breath,” and “hypno,” meaning “sleep.” Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by brief but repetitive interruptions in breathing during sleep, which can cause a person to wake up frequently throughout the night and experience unpleasant symptoms during the day.

Although there are several types of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common. This sleep disorder occurs when the upper airway muscles relax, blocking your airway when sleeping. Your breathing pauses for about 10 seconds or more until your reflexes kick in to restart breathing. These apneic episodes can happen up to a hundred times in a night!  

Sleep apnea may be witnessed by the bed partner more than the sufferer. Your sleeping partner may notice your loud snoring and pause in breathing. However, as the victim, you may experience the following symptoms.

• Morning headaches
• Waking up with a sore throat
• Daytime fatigue
• Irritability
• Low sex drive
• Poor concentration
• Forgetfulness

Such consequences are enough to make you seek prompt treatment. However, if you need a little more convincing, read on to discover the long-term effects of untreated sleep apnea. 

Effects of untreated sleep apnea

Tossing and turning at night? Struggling with daytime fatigue despite sleeping for many hours at night? That’s just the beginning — sleep apnea has a much deeper impact than just terrible nights. This sleep disorder can cause long-term health complications that take significant time to correct. Let’s look at some.

• Hypertension — when you wake up at night and don’t get adequate oxygen, this may send your blood pressure into overdrive. Elevated blood pressure can lead to various health complications, such as damage to the heart and kidneys.
• Cardiovascular disease — hypertension and an oxygen-deprived body puts you at risk of stroke and heart disease.
• Mental problems — quality sleep is vital for optimal mental health. Untreated sleep apnea may result in memory loss, mood swings, anxiety, and depression.
• Obesity — the stress of insomnia nights causes your body to conserve more energy than usual. Besides, stress makes you less motivated to observe your weight loss routine.
• Death — the above complications are already life-threatening, but unaddressed sleep apnea has more to offer. Sleep apnea has been linked to an increased risk of accidents and injuries, such as vehicular accidents and workplace incidents, because of decreased cognitive function.

Don’t let sleep apnea take control of your health. Triad Dentistry in Greensboro, NC, can help. We offer custom-made sleep apnea devices to treat mild to moderate sleep apnea. Trade in your restless nights for a refreshed period of slumber by dialing (336) 383-1482.

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Dr. Steven Hatcher

Dr. Chad Merrell

Dr. Sona Isharani

Dr. Victoria Santiago-Coiro

Dr. Chavala M. Harris

Dr. Steven Hatcher, Dr. Chad Merrell, Dr. Sona Isharani, Dr. Victoria Santiago-Coiro, and Dr. Chavala M. Harris comprise the team of qualified and experienced doctors at Triad Dentistry. They are passionate and driven professionals who strive to preserve and enhance the natural beauty in every dental treatment. Together with the other members of the team, they focus on developing an individualist approach when it comes to treating patients to ensure patient care is a tailor-made experience for the comfort of each client.