VWB Blog Having a partner that snores constantly through the night can be annoying at the best of times. However, the dangers of snoring are worse than just interrupted sleep. If your partner is suffering from sleep apnea, they could be in trouble.
What are the long-term effects of sleep apnea and how is this sleep disorder treated?
If you or a loved one suffer from sleep apnea, there are solutions available. Here’s what you should know!
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous sleep disorder where you periodically stop breathing during the night. There are three main types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and complex sleep apnea syndrome.
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the throat muscles relax during sleep, making it harder to breathe in. Central sleep apnea, however, occurs when the brain fails to send signals to the throat muscles in order to facilitate breathing. Complex sleep apnea syndrome occurs when both of the previous forms of sleep apnea coincide.
If you snore frequently during the night or have a tendency to wake up in the middle of the night, you may have sleep apnea.
Long Term Effects of Sleep Apnea
One of the first long-term effects of sleep apnea is a lack of high-quality sleep. This can lead to serious mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and more. It’s important to get a good night’s rest in order to recover mentally from the previous day.
Sleep apnea can also lead to heart issues if left untreated for too long. When the body goes without oxygen in the blood, it puts unnecessary strain on the cardiovascular system; this can lead to an increased risk of high blood pressure and could put you at risk of having a heart attack.
Sleep apnea can even increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This sleep disorder can cause your body to develop a resistance to insulin, putting you at risk.
Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea
Fortunately, there are treatment options for those who suffer from sleep apnea. The CPAP machine can help improve your breathing during the night by providing a constant flow of air to your nose and mouth. It is used for obstructive sleep apnea so that the body does not stop breathing during the night.
There are also many natural remedies to help with sleep apnea, such as sleeping on your side or wearing a mouthguard. Different solutions work for different people; if you don’t see improvement in your sleep problems, consider speaking with a sleep specialist on how to treat your sleep apnea.
Get a Better Night’s Rest
Now that you know about the long-term effects of sleep apnea, you can rest easy with the knowledge that you are taking care of yourself. If you are ever in doubt, talk with your doctor about further treatment options for your sleep apnea.
Do you know someone who snores all the time or who struggles to sleep?
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