Sleep apnea is prevalent in as many as an estimated 18 million American adults. And aside from the fact that the condition is twice as common in men as it is in women, on the average night’s sleep, a sufferer of obstructive sleep apnea may experience 60 apneas per hour. If you've been waking up feeling perpetually exhausted, it could be an undiagnosed case of sleep apnea. Here are just a few reasons to get treated for sleep apnea by an orthodontist or sleep disorder specialist.
- More Energy: This is one of the biggest reasons to seek sleep apnea management. Those with sleep apnea are almost entirely unable to get the restorative REM sleep their bodies need to keep them awake and energized throughout the day. Instead, they'll consistently wake up and fall back asleep throughout the night, starting the whole process over again. Needless to say, energy level has a substantial effect on a person's overall quality of life.
- Avoiding Health Risks:People that have an untreated case of sleep apnea face a risk of stroke that is four times as likely as those who are not afflicted. Other common effects of untreated sleep apnea cases include heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and even death. As you can see, most of these problems are directly related to the heart. Alaskasleep.com explains, "Sleep apnea causes high blood pressure at night because the brain makes getting oxygen rich blood cells to its various systems a priority. When there's an obstruction in the breathing process this tells the brain that it needs to kick-it-up-a-notch in blood flow by constricting blood vessels to keep things running."
- Keep Your Partner Happy:If you're sleeping next to someone, they can be affected by your sleep apnea as well. Those with untreated sleep apnea tend to snore louder than most, and it can easily keep your partner awake. This could cause potential frustrations over a long period of time.
Ultimately, getting treated for sleep apnea is one of the best ways to keep you and your partner happy and healthy. For more information about orthodontics for adults, contact Sunrise Orthodontics.
