Do you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and have yet to receive treatment? Then this article is meant for you. Dr. James Stewart, your Livonia dentist, explains the health risks associated with untreated cases of OSA.
Untreated Cases of OSA Could Lead to Following
- Heart disease. Those who suffer with OSA lose valuable sleep each night, which places great strain upon the heart. When the heart doesn’t receive the right amount of oxygen, it must work twice as hard to maintain the rest of the systems functioning properly. Since sleep apnea deters that process, patients with untreated sleep apnea have an increased risk of developing heart disease.
- Cancer. According to a study conducted in Japan, women with sleep apnea had a 62% increased risk of developing breast cancer than those women who didn’t have OSA. Moreover, people with sleep apnea were 47% more likely to have cancerous colorectal polyps, than those who didn’t have the sleeping dysfunction.
- Diabetes. If you have diabetes and an untreated case of OSA, you may want to reconsider having a sleep apnea evaluation. Studies have shown that patients with diabetes and sleep apnea tend to have higher glucose levels by at least 9%. Furthermore, their morning insulin readings were 30% higher than OSA-free diabetics.
- Urinary problems. Do you awake often at night to use the bathroom? Surprisingly, the cause may stem from sleep apnea. The lack of sleep caused by sleep apnea makes women up-to 90% more likely to wake during the night to use the restroom; men were 34% more like to wake.
- Increased mortality rate. Having untreated OSA can increase the mortality rates of sufferers under the age of 45. This is due to the frequent interruptions of sleep on a nightly basis. To avoid this issue, your Livonia dentist suggests seeking treatment for your sleep apnea quickly.
Talk to Your Livonia Dentist about OSA Treatments
If you display the signs of OSA and would like more information about treatment, then take care to visit your Livonia dentist. Dr. Stewart can perform an evaluation of your nose and throat to determine if you suffer from the sleep disorder. To schedule an appointment, call our office at (734) 425-4400. Also, visit our website to view services, testimonials, and print patient forms. We look forward to treating patients from Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and surrounding areas.