Many adults can be a bit grumpy or irritable when they do not get the recommended 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep at night. According to the National Sleep Foundation, more than 18 million Americans adults have sleep apnea, a disorder that interrupts the normal sleep cycles – that is a lot of grumpy people! However, beyond feeling drowsy or irritable, untreated sleep apnea can have serious negative health impacts. To learn more about the risk factors and health impacts of sleep apnea in Bartlesville, keep reading below.
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep for ten seconds at a time or more. There are two main types of the disorder:
- Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax and thus fail to keep the airway open.
- Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscle that control breathing.
Obstructive sleep apnea is much more common than sleep apnea, though both can occur in combination.
The Health Impacts of Sleep Apnea
Because sleep apnea prevents people from getting the deep rest that the body needs, people who are affected by the disorder often can be irritable, have difficulty concentrating or even fall asleep at work or in the classroom.
Moreover, if sleep apnea is left untreated it can eventually lead to serious negative health impacts, such as:
- High blood pressure – Constantly waking up at night places added stress on the body, which can affect your hormone systems and boost blood pressure.
- Heart disease – Sleep apnea disrupts your oxygen levels, which may increase the risk of having a heart attack.
- Type 2 Diabetes – Not getting proper rest can keep your body from using insulin properly, which could lead to diabetes.
- Weight gain – Weight gain and sleep apnea are a two-way street. Extra pounds on your neck can disrupt your breathing at night, while already having sleep apnea can release hormones that make you crave carbs and sweets.
- Automobile accidents – Not getting enough sleep increases your risk by up to 5 times of getting into a dangerous traffic accident.
Am I at Risk?
If you have a family history of sleep apnea or snoring, you may be at a higher risk of developing the disorder. Indeed, because of the physical nature of the disorder, genetics can impact your odds of having sleep apnea.
Genetically-inherited physical traits like the shape of your face and skull, the circumference of your neck, size of your tonsils, and body fat content and distribution can all contribute to sleep apnea. Other risk factors include:
- Old age
- Male gender
- Frequent alcohol consumption before bed
Don’t be a grouch! If you suffer from sleep apnea or are tired of your spouse snoring in Bartlesville, partner with a local dentist to achieve restful, quality sleep.
About the Author
A proud graduate of the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, Dr. Luke Lumpkin helps patients in Bartlesville get the quality, uninterrupted rest they deserve through sleep apnea therapy. The Oklahoma native leads the team at Dentistry by Design in providing oral appliances that improve breathing at night. For more information about sleep apnea therapy, visit the Dentistry by Design website or call Dr. Lumpkin at 918-336-6777.