Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN
The latest data compiled by the National Council of Aging estimates that approximately 39 million suffer from the sleep breathing disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea. The number of cases of sleep apnea can only be estimated because, unfortunately, millions of people go without ever receiving a diagnosis, much less treatment, of their problem. Today on the blog, your sleep apnea dentist in Greeneville discusses the possible dangers of living with untreated sleep apnea and how you could be making your condition worse without realizing it.
Untreated sleep apnea can be deadly
The longer someone lives with sleep apnea, the greater the number of potential consequences. Sleep apnea also will become more serious the longer that it takes to receive treatment.
Individuals living with untreated sleep apnea also face a higher risk factor for several systemic, chronic ailments that can be life-threatening, including:
- Certain forms of cancer
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- Diabetes
One study in the journal Sleep even found that patients with sleep apnea had triple the mortality risk of individuals who did not have the sleep breathing disorder.
Living with sleep apnea also can make you more susceptible to having a serious accident. Sleep apnea makes it impossible to receive proper, quality rest, leading to chronic daytime fatigue that can be deadly, especially when driving. The risks magnify for other people for those who work in the transportation industry such as truck drivers, bus drivers or airline pilots.
What behaviors can make sleep apnea worse?
- Weight gain: Overweight individuals are more vulnerable to developing sleep apnea, but if a person already has sleep apnea and then gains a significant amount of weight, then the sleep breathing disorder is almost sure to get worse.
- Alcohol: When you drink alcohol, it encourages relaxation of the muscles—including the tongue and muscles of the throat, which are usually involved in cases where the airway becomes obstructed. If you have sleep apnea, you should reduce your overall consumption of alcohol. When you do drink, be sure to do so in moderation.
- Medication side effects: Certain medications can worsen an existing case of sleep apnea. The most likely include muscle relaxants, painkillers or any type of sleeping pill. Sleeping pills make it easier for a person to stay asleep; that also means that, when an episode of sleep apnea occurs, the disruptions to breathing will have to be more pronounced before the brain sends signals to the body that airflow has been cut off.
- How you sleep: Your sleep position helps determine how weight is distributed upon your airway. For example, if you sleep on your back, the tongue could be more likely to slide back into the airway, blocking it. Meanwhile, sleeping on your side tends to diminish symptoms—such as loud snoring or waking up during the night.
- Smoking: We all know that smoking is bad for your overall health but it also can exacerbate a case of sleep apnea. Whether you smoke cigarettes, cigars, pipes or even vape, this habit can irritate the airway or cause inflammation in the tongue, throat or uvula, thus causing another source of obstruction. Smoking also can lead to COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder) or asthma, two conditions that can narrow or inflame the airway, and thus make obstructions more frequent.
Treating sleep apnea in Greeneville, Jonesborough and Erwin in Tennessee
In conclusion sleep apnea is a serious disorder that will not go away on its own. You must receive diagnosis and treatment from a medical professional with proper training. At Tusculum Dental Care, our dentists are trained in airway management and the treatment of sleep apnea. If you or someone you love is showing signs of sleep apnea, or already received a diagnosis of the sleep breathing disorder from a qualified sleep specialist, we can help. Schedule a consultation today by calling (423) 639-7575.