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Exercise and a healthy diet are often cited as the most important things that can be done to support an overall healthy lifestyle. Less commonly shared is the importance of quality sleep for your general and cardiovascular health.
Sleep Apnea has become a common term as it affects about 3 percent of normal-weight individuals and over 20 percent of obese people. In fact, recent studies indicate approximately 30 million people suffer from sleep apnea, though the majority are undiagnosed. While advancements in the field of sleep disorders continue to be made, one widely understood fact is that sleep apnea affects more than just the quality of sleep and fatigue the next day. Furthermore, when left untreated, sleep apnea has been linked to serious health issues.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which your throat temporarily pauses breathing repeatedly while you sleep. Your brain is notified of this danger and is on high alert, commanding the lungs to breathe correctly. As oxygen enters the lungs, your brain goes back into “off-duty” mode. But then, the whole thing happens again only a few minutes later. These multiple sleep interruptions leave you feeling tired during the day.
Read more about sleep apnea in our previous blog: https://www.topekaent.com/post/does-everyone-who-snores-also-have-sleep-apnea
Dangerous Complications of Sleep Apnea (source)
Sleep apnea has been linked to many health conditions such as obesity and high blood pressure. These conditions, coupled with the lack of sleep, can harm many of the body's systems. Continue reading to learn how obstructive sleep apnea affects almost every system in the body.
Respiratory System
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles that support your throat, such as your tongue, temporarily relax. When these muscles relax, the airway is narrowed or closed and breathing may be cut off for a moment depriving your body of oxygen.
Stopping or slowing breathing can lower your blood oxygen levels, which can worsen symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). You might find yourself short of breath or have more trouble exercising than usual.
Endocrine System
Disruption in sleep has been shown to be associated with several endocrine and metabolic disorders such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypothyroidism.
Sleep apnea has also been associated with metabolic syndrome, a cluster of heart disease risk factors that include high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol levels, high blood sugar levels, and a larger-than-normal waist circumference.
Digestive System
Sleep apnea causes a domino effect of symptoms that can lead to digestive issues such as acid reflux. Unfortunately, it can also lead to more serious problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and colon cancer. Sleep apnea is also believed to be related to celiac disease.
Patients with obstructive sleep apnea may also develop fatty liver, high levels of liver enzymes, and liver scarring.
Circulatory and Cardiovascular Systems
Sleep apnea can lead to severe heart problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and atrial fibrillation.
Nervous System
Obstructive sleep apnea can have a terrible effect on memory because of a lack of rest from interrupted sleep. Researchers at UCLA found that the mammillary bodies in the brain, which are responsible for memory storage, are 20 percent smaller in people with obstructive sleep apnea. As a result, memory loss, fatigue, a short attention span, and moodiness are possible side effects.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosing and treating a sleep disorder is important in preventing more serious health problems from occurring. Most patients need to undergo a polysomnography (sleep study), conducted in a sleep lab or at home.
Schedule your sleep study today at Topeka ENT. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to lower the risk of developing these severe side effects. If you believe that you or your partner suffer from sleep apnea, contact Topeka Ear Nose and Throat today to book an appointment.
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