Health Consequences of Sleep Apnea

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lake oswego, Oregon, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) February 24, 2012 -- Sometimes, heavy snoring is merely a nuisance. It may interrupt your bed partner’s sleep, but it doesn’t have any other negative effect on you or your health. Unfortunately, loud chronic snoring is just as often a symptom of a serious breathing disorder called sleep apnea. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 100 million people across the world suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Understanding Sleep Apnea

People with sleep apnea stop breathing multiple times throughout the night, causing their body to wake them up into a semi-conscious state. This can happen over ten times an hour without you realizing it, and the period of non-breathing can last anywhere from ten seconds to a full minute.
Despite the fact that your body wakes you up, the oxygen deprivation that occurs during the period of non-breathing can have a devastating effect on your body and your overall health. Not only do your oxygen levels drop to as low as 50% during each episode, you are also prevented from getting a full night’s sleep, which seriously limits your body’s ability to restore itself and function during the day.
The Dangers of Sleep Apnea

Most people with sleep apnea will notice its effects during the day, such as excessive drowsiness, fatigue, and poor concentration levels. However, the long-term effects of untreated sleep apnea can be much more dangerous.
Some of the health risks of sleep apnea include:
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Hypertension
• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Short term memory loss
• Diabetes
• Insomnia
• Mood swings
• Muscle pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Slow metabolism
• Weight gain

If your bed partner has noticed your loud snoring at night, and if you suffer from the high levels of fatigue that characterize a sleep apnea patient, it is essential that you get tested for the presence of this disorder. The sooner you start treatment, the sooner your body will be able to recover, preventing the serious health risks listed above.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Sleep apnea treatment comes in many forms, but CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is the most common treatment prescribed for apnea sufferers. Using a small mask connected to a hose, the CPAP device forces air through your upper airway passages while you are asleep. Unfortunately, this treatment is often cumbersome and difficult to sleep with.
Some increasingly popular sleep apnea treatment alternatives include:

• The DNA Appliance™ – If your sleep apnea is caused by an underdeveloped jaw, the DNA Appliance™ can move your teeth into proper alignment and allow your upper and lower jaws to develop.
• Oral appliance therapy – A sleep apnea dentist can create a custom oral appliance to wear at night. These devices are designed to prevent obstruction in your airways, so you can breathe easily throughout the night.
For more information about sleep apnea, please visit the website of experienced snoring and sleep apnea treatment specialist Dr. Sue E. Wendling, DMD today.

http://www.drwendling.com

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