Factors like obesity, aging, and unhealthy lifestyle can worsen untreated sleep apnea. It’s not just about snoring and feeling groggy during the day – it’s a serious health condition affecting your body in many ways. Studies have shown that those with untreated sleep apnea have a lower life expectancy than those who seek treatment. Untreated apnea can lead to serious health problems like heart disease and high blood pressure and must be consulted immediately with a sleep apnea dentist.
Let’s discover some facts about untreated sleep apnea life expectancy, the signs and symptoms, and the treatment options that can help improve your sleep quality.
What is Sleep Apnea?
A sleep disorder called sleep apnea causes a repeated stop-and-start on a patient’s breathing during sleep. This can happen because of blocked airways or when the brain doesn’t signal the muscles to breathe. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA), mild sleep apnea occurs for about 5-15 breathing interruptions per hour, moderate sleep apnea for 15-30 breathing interruptions per hour, and over 30 breathing interruptions per hour for severe sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea can be categorized into two types: OSA for obstructive sleep apnea and CSA for central sleep apnea. OSA occurs when the patient’s airway is blocked by soft tissue at the back of the throat. In comparison, CSA happens when the brain doesn’t send the right signal to the muscles that control the patient’s breathing.
Warning Signs and Symptoms of Apnea
Sleep apnea can cause serious health issues if left untreated. Identifying warning signs and symptoms of apnea is crucial in seeking timely medical attention. Signs of sleep apnea include:
- loud, chronic snoring
- pauses in breathing during sleep
- choking or gasping spells during sleep
- daytime fatigue
- morning headaches
- difficulty concentrating
- irritability
- mood swings
- gaining weight or obesity
What Happens if Sleep Apnea Is Left Untreated?
If you’re experiencing the symptoms of sleep apnea mentioned above and you still ignore it, it can result in a range of health problems. It can lead to cardiovascular problems, metabolic disorders, mood disorders, and risk of death.
Sleep apnea can cause repeated drops in blood oxygen levels, triggering a series of negative effects on the body. The stress and strain on the heart and blood vessels from the repeated pauses in breathing during sleep can contribute to the development of heart disease and stroke, which makes the patient prone to heart attacks.
Seeking medical attention and following a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, which may include lifestyle changes, CPAP therapy, or surgery, can help manage the condition and potentially reduce the risk of these negative health outcomes for people with sleep apnea.
Risk Associated with Untreated Sleep Apnea
If left untreated, sleep apnea can cause mild to severe health problems. Some potential consequences of untreated sleep apnea include:
Increased Risk of Heart Disease
Untreated sleep apnea patients tend to develop cardiovascular disease like irregular heartbeats and high blood pressure. These risks can be reduced with effective treatment, such as using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.
Cognitive Impairment
Lack of quality sleep due to untreated sleep apnea can cause cognitive impairment, including memory, attention, and decision-making difficulties. This can affect your ability to perform your daily tasks and work productivity.
Mood Disorders
Development of mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, are most likely to develop with untreated apnea. Sleep deprivation can affect your mental health, causing mood swings, irritability, and other negative emotions. It is recommended to have at least 7 hours of sleep to improve body healing.
Fatigue and Daytime Sleepiness
Patients with sleep apnea may experience chronic fatigue and daytime sleepiness. This is because interrupted sleep prevents you from getting the restful sleep your body needs to function correctly. With this condition, it can be challenging to concentrate and feel tired throughout the day.
Type 2 Diabetes
Frequent interruptions in breathing can affect glucose metabolism, leading to insulin resistance and other metabolic abnormalities. Patients with sleep apnea are more likely to struggle with weight gain, which is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
Depression and Anxiety
Untreated sleep apnea can also significantly impact a patient’s mental health. The condition can cause daytime fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating, leading to depression and anxiety.
Increased Risk of Accidents
Patients with untreated sleep apnea can also have an increased risk of driving-related accidents. Sleep apnea can cause excessive daytime sleepiness, making it difficult to stay alert while driving or operating heavy machinery.
Can You Die from Untreated Sleep Apnea?
Can you die from sleep apnea? This may sound brutal, but the answer is yes, untreated sleep apnea can be life-threatening. One of the most immediate risks of untreated sleep apnea is a lack of oxygen to the brain and body during sleep. When you stop breathing, even for a few seconds, your body and brain are not receiving the oxygen they need to function properly.
Another danger of sleep apnea is the increased risk of accidents and injuries due to poor cognitive function and attention deficit. Studies have shown that people with sleep apnea are more likely to be involved in car crashes or workplace accidents that result in death.
Untreated sleep apnea can also worsen pre-existing health conditions. For example, if you have diabetes, sleep apnea can interfere with your body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels, making it difficult to manage your diabetes effectively.
In rare cases, untreated sleep apnea can lead to sudden death. It occurs when a person with sleep apnea stops breathing for an extended period of time, causing their heart to stop beating. While this is rare, it does happen, proving how serious untreated sleep apnea is.
Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea
There are several options available to treat sleep apnea, ranging from changes in lifestyle to medical interventions. The most effective treatment depends on the severity and underlying cause of the sleep apnea.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, involves wearing a mask over the patient’s nose or mouth while sleeping. CPAP delivers a continuous stream of air to keep the airway open. CPAP is highly effective in treating sleep apnea, but some people may find it uncomfortable or difficult to use.
Lifestyle Changes
Making lifestyle changes can also be effective in treating sleep apnea. Losing weight, changing sleep habits, and avoiding alcohol are some of the natural ways to reduce the severity of sleep apnea. These lifestyle changes can be particularly effective for patients with mild cases of sleep apnea.
Oral Appliances
Oral appliances are devices that fit in your mouth and help keep your airway open while you sleep. Oral appliances are often used for mild to moderate cases of sleep apnea and can be a good alternative for patients who find CPAP uncomfortable.
Surgery
In certain or severe cases, surgery is recommended to treat sleep apnea. The surgical procedure removes excess tissue in the throat, and maxillomandibular advancement (MMA), which moves the jaw forward to keep the airway open.
Sleep Apnea FAQs
How long can you live with untreated sleep apnea?
There is no time frame set for how long someone can live with untreated sleep apnea. However, the health complications linked to untreated sleep apnea, like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure, can cause serious problems or death.
Can I ever recover from sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea can be treated and managed. The recovery may differ based on the severity and the patient’s willingness to make lifestyle changes. There are natural remedies that can be practiced to reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. But, it is much safer to consult with a sleep specialist for a better treatment plan.
Say Goodbye to Sleep Apnea With Garza DDS’s Treatment
Garza DDS uses the latest method and technology to diagnose and treat sleep apnea. At our facility, we provide treatment plans that are tailored specifically to each patient. This means that you will receive personalized care that focuses on addressing the source of your sleep apnea.
Dr. Garza understands the impact of sleep apnea on every patient’s health, which is why he is committed to providing effective and long-lasting solutions. Say goodbye to sleepless nights and daytime fatigue – schedule a consultation with Garza DDS today.