Why It’s Important to Treat Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder affecting millions of people. When left untreated, sleep apnea can cause significant health complications and affect your quality of life. If you are sick of always feeling tired during the day and fighting daytime fatigue, it may be time to seek sleep apnea treatment. Proper sleep apnea treatment can not only improve your sleep quality, but also reduce your risk of developing a variety of associated health conditions.

Sleep apnea dentists and specialists offer various treatment options to help you get the rest you need. To learn more about the benefits of treating this condition, read on.

Better Sleep 

Sleep apnea severely disrupts your sleeping patterns by causing you to wake up multiple times every night. With every pause, the body wakes up a little before resuming regular breathing, which prevents you from getting the adequate deep sleep you need to feel refreshed the next day. Getting enough sleep during the night is essential to maintain good health. Sleeping 7-9 hours a night improves cognitive function, lowers blood pressure, and reduces stress. Sleep apnea treatment will help you breathe easier at night, which leads to feeling better and more energetic during the day.

Reduced Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke

The risk of high blood pressure is greater in people with sleep apnea than in those without sleep disturbances. Studies also show that people with sleep apnea are also more likely to have a stroke. This research suggests that sleep apnea treatment can lower the risk of developing these serious conditions.

Improved Blood Sugar Management

Sleep disturbances caused by sleep apnea increase the chances of developing type 2 diabetes since lack of adequate sleep throughout the night can make your body more resistant to insulin. Effective sleep apnea treatment results in better insulin resistance for individuals without diabetes. For diabetic patients, sleep apnea may aggravate your body’s ability to control blood sugar levels.

Reduced Risk of Depression

Depression is one of the least discussed symptoms of sleep apnea. However, there is a relationship between depression and sleep apnea. The risk of depression can increase when a patient experiences consistent sleep disturbance. Those with severe sleep disturbances have a higher rate of depression than those without disturbances.

May Lower the Risk of Cancer

According to the research results published by the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, patients with sleep apnea disorder have a higher risk of developing cancer. The commonly diagnosed cancers include prostate, breast, lung, prostate, and colorectal. Those mainly affected were men and people below 65 years of age.

Treatment Improves Your Quality of Life

Getting quality, uninterrupted sleep for about seven to nine hours each night is essential for your health, and lack of sleep can negatively impact your health in various ways. Therefore, if you have a confirmed sleep apnea diagnosis, you should not hesitate to seek treatment. In the same vein, if you suspect you may have sleep apnea, make an appointment to speak to your doctor. If you have sleep apnea or another sleep disorder, treatment is available to help you sleep soundly once again.