Counting Sheep: What are the Long Term Effects of Sleep Apnea?

A whopping 68 percent of all Americans struggle with sleep at least once every week.

Whether they have trouble falling asleep, getting a good night’s rest, or are dealing with something more serious, this can leave us tired, cranky, and weak.

One problem that can not only rob you of your valuable shut-eye but also lead to long term problems is sleep apnea.

Keep reading to learn what this condition is, as well as what the long term effects of sleep apnea can be.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is considered to be a very serious sleep disorder. People who suffer from it experience trouble with their breathing while they are asleep. 

During the night, patients with sleep apnea actually stop breathing. Some experience this once a night. For others, it happens repeatedly.

Sleep apnea is incredibly dangerous because it deprives the brain of oxygen for short periods of time. It can be difficult to diagnose because patients may not realize that there is a problem, as they are asleep when the episodes occur.

There are two types of sleep apnea.

The first is obstructive sleep apnea, where soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses while a person is asleep, causing an obstruction in the airway.

The second type is central sleep apnea. In this type, the airway actually isn’t blocked. Instead, the issue is in the brain, which fails to signal to the muscles of the body that they need to breathe.

Who is at Risk for Sleep Apnea?

While anyone can develop sleep apnea, especially central sleep apnea, certain characteristics can make a person more prone to this condition.

A few risk factors that increase your likelihood of developing sleep apnea include:

• Obesity
• 40 years of age or older
• Having a thick neck, large tongue, or a small jaw
• Family history of sleep apnea
• Sinus problems or severe allergies 

Even the position that you sleep in at night could have an effect on episodes of sleep apnea.

What are the Long Term Effects of Sleep Apnea?

Because the brain is deprived of oxygen repeatedly, sleep apnea can cause a number of serious long term effects. Left untreated, it can cause depression, headaches, and high blood pressure.

Sleep apnea may also increase an individual’s likelihood of developing other health problems, including diabetes, heart failures, or strokes.

Treating Sleep Apnea

Depending on the severity of sleep apnea, a doctor might recommend several treatment options.

For those suffering from a serious case of sleep apnea, a breathing assistance device might be necessary. This machine is used at night to ensure that your airways remain open and that you are breathing continuously.

For both mild and severe cases, doctors will also likely recommend a lifestyle change. Losing weight and getting healthy can help reduce or even eliminate sleep apnea.

Once the risk factors for sleep apnea are reduced, individuals also need to make an effort to go back to getting a full night of restful sleep. This can help reduce those long term effects like headaches and depression. A mattress topper and other comfort items can help with this.

Getting a Better Night’s Sleep

Treating sleep apnea and the long term effects of sleep apnea can help reduce your risk of developing other serious health problems. 

Getting a full night of sleep is important for preventing other health conditions as well. Check out these 8 easy hacks next to help you start getting better sleep tonight!

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