The Dangers of Obstructive Sleep Apnea 

If you wake up to find that you are still tired, or have heard complaints that you snore or seem to choke at night, you may suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). While you may think that snoring or excessive tiredness in the morning is normal, OSA has many potentially harmful side effects.

At Chabot Dental, we want patients to understand the risks of untreated OSA so that you can get the necessary treatment to return to a restful night’s sleep.

Fatigue: The most immediate side-effect of OSA, waking regularly from sleep can lead to daytime fatigue. This fatigue is a result of being unable to reach the third and deepest level of sleep, as patients with sleep apnea are constantly being woken in an attempt to restart normal breathing. Daytime fatigue makes focusing on regular activities difficult, and can lead to a loss of motor functionality.  

High Blood Pressure: OSA is a significant stressor to the body, adding the stress of waking frequently throughout the night and the decreased amount of oxygen in the blood. This lowered oxygen content is a result of not being able to effectively breathe once airflow has been obstructed. In response, your body will increase your blood pressure in an attempt to make up the difference in how much oxygen reaches the rest of your body, leading to the increased chance of damage to your kidneys, heart, and eyes. 

Stroke and Heart Disease: For patients with heart disease, obstructive sleep apnea can increase the risk of a stroke, heart attack, or irregular heartbeats, and increases the chance of developing heart disease in those who don’t have it. As the constant state of stress during sleep contributes to your brain being unable to properly regulate healthy blood flow, the increased pressure on the arteries in the brain can cause them to rupture, triggering a stroke.

Treat Your Sleep Apnea Today

Treating obstructive sleep apnea helps you regain a good night’s rest, but also allows you to reduce your risk of developing these harmful side effects. Dr. Sandra Guereca and our team are dedicated to working with your general healthcare provider to help you find innovative solutions for mild to moderate OSA. Call or schedule an appointment with our Castro Valley dentist today for your sleep apnea appliance consultation.