Get the Care You Deserve in Encino, CA

As you probably already know, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common issue in the United States, affecting about 22 million people at any given time. What may come as a surprise, however, is that untreated sleep apnea can bring along severe health complications, including:

• High blood pressure
• Cardiovascular disease
• Memory problems
• Weight gain
• Impotence
• Headaches

Unfortunately, researchers from the Journal Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine estimate that 80% of people with Sleep Apnea go undiagnosed and untreated. One of the main reasons for this is because the symptoms of OSA can be challenging to spot.

If you’re having trouble sleeping, feel groggy or tired during the day, and can’t stay focused, you may be suffering from OSA. Below, Dr. Simmons explains why you might benefit from treating your sleep apnea.

Reasons to Seek Treatment

#1: You’ll feel refreshed in the morning

OSA typically occurs because the soft tissue in your throat collapses and blocks your airway, restricting the amount of oxygen you get during the night. When this happens, your brain jolts awake and causes you to restart your sleep cycle.

The more your body has to worry about continuing your breathing, the less it can focus on repairing itself — for example, storing your memories and improving cognitive function.

#2: You’ll get a better night’s rest

As we mentioned above, sleep apnea causes you to fully or partially wake up from sleep. When this happens, your quality of sleep diminishes, and it may cause you to use the restroom frequently, which will make it more challenging to fall back asleep.

Seeking treatment for OSA will limit the number of sleep apnea episode you have each night, allowing you to finally get the rest your body needs.

#3: Your relationship will improve

When you suffer from sleep apnea, one of the symptoms is loud, excessive snoring, which can cause your sleep partner to lose sleep as well. Some partners have noted that they’re worried that their loved one will stop breathing altogether, and they often feel anxious about it, which keeps them up at night.

If your quality of sleep isn’t enough to get you to see a sleep specialist, think about the suffering your bedmate might be going through because of you.

#4: Think about your long-term health

Researchers have found correlations between untreated sleep apnea and an assortment of medical complications, including:

• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Stroke
• Arrhythmias (fluttering heartbeat)

Studies have shown that treated sleep apnea lowers blood pressure levels and reduces the chances of cardiovascular issues. Protect your interests, and get the help you deserve by scheduling a consultation with our Encino sleep specialist, Dr. Simmons.

#5: Reduce your chances of accidents

When you’re not sleeping properly, you’re not thinking correctly. Untreated sleep apnea can cause you to lose focus while you’re doing dangerous things like driving a car or operating heavy machinery.

According to the National Safety Council, every year, about 100,000 police-reported crashes involve drowsy driving. Not to mention that some of the world’s greatest human-made disasters (e.g., Chernobyl and the Challenger explosion) happened, at least in part, because of sleep deprivation.

If you’re worried about the safety of yourself or others, then managing your sleep health is a must.

Get Treatment Today to Protect Yourself and Those Around You

OSA is a dangerous condition that requires immediate professional assistance. While some people find sleep apnea treatment to be inconvenient or uncomfortable, they don’t compare to the negative consequences of leaving the disorder untreated.