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How Sleep Apnea is Hurting Your Health

Sleep apnea is more than just snoring; it is a serious sleep disorder where an individual will completely stop breathing several (even hundreds) of times throughout the night. If left untreated, the body will fail to get enough oxygen, leading to countless health problems.
There are two types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is the more common form and is the result of a blocked airway. This typically occurs when tissue in the back of the throat relaxes and collapses during sleep. Central sleep apnea is when the brain is unable to send a signal to the muscles, telling them to breathe. This is generally due to a problem in the respiratory control center. Here is how sleep apnea may be hurting your physical and mental health.
The Effects of Sleep Apnea
If left untreated, sleep apnea can create a host of mild to significant health issues such as stroke, diabetes, headaches, heart failure, heart attacks, depression, or worsened ADHD symptoms. Also, untreated sleep apnea may be the cause of poor performance in day-to-day activities. For instance, your work at your place of employment or school may begin to suffer. Studies have shown a decrease in academic achievement in children and teens with untreated sleep apnea. It can even interfere with your ability to think clearly and operate a vehicle safely.
The Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
The signs of sleep apnea cover a variety of areas. If you experience one or more of the following, schedule an appointment with your doctor to determine if you suffer from sleep apnea: loud snoring, waking up at night with a choking or gasping sensation, lack of energy during the day, grogginess while driving, headaches in the morning, mood changes, decreased desire for sex, insomnia, and waking up with a very dry or a sore throat.
Arrange a consultation
If you possess any of the symptoms associated with sleep apnea, arrange a consultation with Bay Area Laser Cosmetic Surgery Center today. At our clinic, we offer the latest methods of laser treatment for snoring. If you have questions or concerns, call our team today at 510-724-8282 (Pinhole) or 415-461-5755 (Larkspur).

This entry was posted
on Thursday, February 15th, 2018 at 1:35 am and is filed under Sleep Apnea.
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