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Dangers of Untreated Sleep Apnea

At Federici Dental, our mission is to help our patients achieve beautiful smiles and better health through quality dental treatment. In addition to a variety of restorative and cosmetic dental treatments, we're proud to offer comprehensive treatment for sleep apnea, including oral appliances and CPAP machines. Sleep apnea is a common sleeping disorder that affects millions of Americans, and it can often go undetected for years – but that doesn't mean it's not dangerous. Untreated sleep apnea can cause a host of health problems, and in severe cases, it can even prove fatal.

About Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea, also called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is a condition that causes the body to stop breathing for brief periods during the night. These pauses in breathing are called apneas. Apneas may occur as few as 5 times for hour or as many as 60+ depending on the severity of the sleep apnea, but even mild sleep apnea can have health consequences. What's worse, mild to moderate sleep apnea can go undetected for years. Because sufferers are asleep, they usually have no memory of the episodes and no way to tell that they're suffering from sleep apnea, allowing the condition to continue unchecked.

Why Is Sleep Apnea Harmful?

Without detection and treatment, sleep apnea can cause a wide range of health problems. These problems may be milder or worse depending on the severity of the sleep apnea. Problems from sleep apnea include:

  • High Blood Pressure: OSA can inflame preexisting high blood pressure, as failure to breathe puts stress on the body.
  • Type 2 Diabetes: Sleep apnea is linked to diabetes, and while the exact causal relationship isn't understood, the two conditions can clearly feed each other. Constant cortisol releases by body that occur with apneas creates an insulin resistance/store fat condition in body.
  • Heart Disease: OSA increases the risk of A-Fib, heart attack, stroke, and fluttering heartbeats.
  • Adult Asthma: While scientists don't understand the link, treating sleep apnea can reduce symptoms of asthma.
  • Acid Reflux: When the body lays flat and the stomach pumps to jumpstart the breathing cycle after an apnea as seen in the signs and symptoms page video, stomach acids are pumped back up the esophagus to create reflux or GERD as well as contribute to Barrett’s esophagitis.
  • Car Accidents: Sleep apnea robs you of healthy, normal sleep, and this can have a wide range of impacts. One of the most dangerous is that it makes it unsafe for you to operate a motor vehicle, potentially leading to car accidents. Truck drivers/school bus drivers/train operators are now being asked/required to be tested for OSA to get/maintain CDL’s (Commercial Driver’s Licenses)
  • Early Onset Dementia: Due to constant oxygen deprivation to the brain.  

Get Sleep Apnea Treatment in Manahawkin, NJ

Sleep apnea is a silent killer, affecting millions of Americans and dragging health down over a period of years. If you think you may be suffering from sleep apnea, it's time to take back the healthy, restful sleep you deserve. Schedule a consultation today if you or a loved one has shown any signs or symptoms of sleep apnea. We'll design a treatment that fits your lifestyle and helps you reclaim a restful night's sleep, every night.