Have you been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)? Then you should seek treatment as soon as possible. Sleep apnea can present many problems with your overall health. To teach his patients about the risk factors of untreated OSA, Dr. James Stewart, your Livonia dentist provides the following information.
Untreated OSA Increases Your Risk of the Following
- Heart attack. Patients who suffer sleep apnea lose a lot of oxygen while they sleep. When the blood doesn’t receive a healthy amount of oxygen, the heart automatically begins to work harder in order to compensate. This nightly strain on the heart eventually causes blood pressure to maintain elevated throughout the day. When combined, these ailments can place patients at risk for heart attacks.
- Depression. A lack of sleep can negatively affect your mood. Patients with OSA tend to lose interest in everyday activities and may even feel helplessness. In these instances, women with OSA were more likely to experience depression than men.
- Diabetes. Just like gum disease, sleep apnea has recently been liked to diabetes. Even with moderate cases, the likelihood of developing diabetes doubles for sleep apnea patients.
- Stoke. Much like the increased heart attack risk, patients with untreated sleep apnea can increase their risk of stroke. Insufficient oxygen to the brain can wreak havoc on brain tissue and overall brain function.
- Decreased libido. The consistent lack of restful sleep can seriously decrease your sex drive. Women tend to experience a decrease in testosterone levels and men suffer erectile dysfunction. Though treatment can help save your life, it can also revive your libido.
- Pregnancy complications. For pregnant women, OSA can take a toll on your baby’s health. Studies have shown that women with sleep apnea tend to require C-sections due to high blood pressure. Additionally, those babies were more likely to require time in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit).
Visit Your Livonia Dentist for OSA Treatment
For more information on OSA and possible treatment options, contact your Livonia dentist. Dr. Stewart can discuss which methods prove most effective. 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.