Many people with sleep apnea don’t know they have it. Others know they snore but think it’s harmless. Over time, though, untreated sleep apnea can affect much more than your sleep. Here’s what’s at stake, and the good news about treatment.
What happens during sleep apnea
With obstructive sleep apnea, your airway repeatedly narrows or closes during sleep. Your oxygen drops, your body releases stress hormones and your brain wakes you briefly to start breathing again. This can happen dozens of times an hour, all night long.
Health risks linked to untreated sleep apnea
Heart and blood vessels. Untreated sleep apnea is linked to high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, heart failure and stroke. Read more about sleep apnea and high blood pressure.
Metabolism. Sleep apnea is associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, and poor sleep can make weight management harder.
Brain and mood. Fragmented sleep can affect memory, focus and mood. Many people with untreated sleep apnea report irritability, anxiety or depression.
Safety. Daytime sleepiness raises the risk of drowsy-driving crashes and workplace accidents.
Relationships. Loud snoring and restless nights often affect partners too.
Signs you may have sleep apnea
- Loud, frequent snoring
- Pauses in breathing, choking or gasping during sleep
- Feeling tired despite a full night in bed
- Morning headaches or dry mouth
- Trouble concentrating
- Waking up often to urinate at night
See our full list of sleep apnea symptoms.
The good news: it’s treatable
Once sleep apnea is diagnosed, treatment can make a big difference in energy, mood and quality of life. Options include CPAP therapy, oral appliances, positional therapy, weight management and other treatments. If you’ve tried CPAP before and struggled, there are alternatives worth discussing.
The first step is a sleep study
A sleep study is the only way to confirm sleep apnea and know how severe it is. Depending on your symptoms, that might be a home sleep test or an in-lab sleep study.
Book a sleep study in Deerfield Beach
Ready to get answers and better sleep? Call 1-800-481-3870 or request an appointment online. International Institute of Sleep is headquartered at 2151 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Suite 100, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442, and serves patients throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties.
This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms, and don’t stop or change a prescribed treatment without their guidance.
