man wearing a white shirt laying in bed awake and worriedOSA is a Serious Condition

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may not seem like that big of a deal. Sometimes, people don’t even remember waking up throughout the night and believe nothing is wrong. Even in these cases, OSA can threaten your life.

Sleep is vital to your bodily functions, so waking up multiple times throughout the night is detrimental. Learn about some of the ways OSA can affect your health.

1. Heart Conditions

The most serious health condition related to sleep apnea is its impact on the heart. In people who have heart issues, sleep apnea is a common thread — according to the Harvard Heart Letter, up to 83% of people with cardiovascular disease also have sleep apnea and up to 53% of people with heart failure.

OSA deprives your body of much-needed oxygen while you sleep, leading to high blood pressure. Seeking treatment for sleep apnea and normalizing your nightly oxygen flow can prevent the development of these issues.

2. Car Accidents

When you’re tired, you’re more likely to make mistakes. People with OSA often feel fatigued and have difficulty concentrating. On the road, that could mean the difference between life and death.

In a study published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, researchers found that people with OSA are 2.5 times more likely to be the driver in a car accident. With treatment, this number fell by 70 percent.

3. Unemployment

Sometimes the mistakes you make don’t directly put you in danger, but can instead lead to performance issues on the job and reduce your productivity. People who have sleep apnea are more likely to become unemployed because of this.

Unemployment may not seem like a health issue, but being without a job actually affects your health in several ways. People who are unemployed are often affected by higher levels of mental health issues, chronic disease, and premature mortality.

Being unemployed with sleep apnea may further affect your mental and physical health.

4. Diabetes

Diabetes is an increasingly common disease in America — as of 2015, more than 100 million adults were living with diabetes or prediabetes and more being diagnosed consistently. There are many potential causes of Type 2 diabetes, but all result in your body’s resistance to insulin.

OSA can both lead to and worsen Type 2 diabetes. In a study published by the American Diabetes Association, the pauses in breathing commonly experienced by people with OSA can affect your glucose metabolism directly, and cause you to become insulin-resistant.

Fortunately, the treatment of OSA was also found to help restore balance to your glucose metabolism. This means the improvement

5. Relationship Issues

Another indirect health determinant is your relationship status. Not just whether you’re single or married, but the quality of the relationship that you have. Strong and supportive relationships can keep you healthy, while relationships that are in discord worsen your health over time.

OSA can put a major strain on relationships. Especially if you snore loudly, your partner can suffer from sleep deprivation as well. Continuously interrupted sleep often turns a couple against each other and creates a hostile environment for emotional and physical health.

In a study conducted by Harvard University beginning in 1938, researchers followed the lives of over 700 men. As of 2017, more than 60 of the original participants are still taking part. The study found that relationship satisfaction was a significant contributor to lifespan.

Treating your OSA can not only save your life but your partner’s life, as well as your relationship.

Treatment Can Save Your Life

Living with OSA can be difficult and even deadly, but it doesn’t have to be. Dr. Michael Simmons can help you feel invigorated by finding the best treatment option for you.

Dr. Simmons can provide you with a custom-made oral appliance that not only treats sleep apnea but is comfortable and convenient to wear. These mouthguards are often just as effective as CPAP machines and can keep you from snoring throughout the night.

To learn more about your treatment options, call our office at 818-300-0070 to talk to us. We’ll be happy to answer your questions about sleep apnea and treatment at our office.

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