San Francisco and Marin CA
Snoring is one of the most common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a sleep-breathing disorder where your breathing pauses and disrupts the REM sleep cycle. OSA can be caused by an airway obstruction, which is responsible for causing the infamous snoring sound while sleeping as air seeps past soft tissue blockages causing a vibration noise (snoring). Not only does OSA mean that your body isn’t getting enough oxygen, but it could increase your risk of other serious health problems. Today on our newest blog, our sleep apnea dentists in the Bay Area at Glen Park Dental share the four reasons you should take your snoring seriously.
What are other common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea?
While snoring is a telltale sign of sleep apnea, it isn’t the only symptom. In fact, some sufferers may not snore at all but could still be at risk of this sleep-breathing disorder.
Other sleep apnea symptoms include:
- Gasping for air while sleeping
- Frequent awakenings
- Insomnia
- Headaches upon waking up
- Irritability or mood swings
- Low libido
- Daytime fatigue
It’s imperative that if you experience any symptoms associated with OSA that you undergo a sleep apnea screening in the Bay Area to determine if you need treatment to manage your condition.
Serious health consequences related to untreated sleep apnea
Cardiovascular disease
The repetitive sleep interruptions may increase blood pressure and strain the heart, which could lead to an increased risk of a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure. Cardiovascular issues are one of the most serious risks related to untreated sleep apnea. Some studies have found that individuals who have untreated sleep apnea have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular conditions unless they manage their sleep apnea symptoms.
Increased risk of accidents
Feeling chronically fatigued could increase your risk of being involved in an accident either by driving or operating machinery at work (if your job requires you to operate machines or heavy equipment). Chronic fatigue can make driving even short distances a challenge as you fight to stay awake even in the daytime.
Metabolic and weight issues
The body’s metabolism is responsible for turning the foods you eat into energy, which helps burn calories. However, sleep issues could interfere with the body’s ability to metabolize calories, which could result in unexpected weight gain or difficulty losing weight. Additionally, untreated sleep apnea could make controlling insulin levels more difficult, which could worsen type 2 diabetes or increase the risk of developing diabetes.
Mental health impact
Feeling chronically fatigued due to sleep apnea can impact a person’s mental health. Poor sleep quality may also be linked to mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Additionally, chronic fatigue and the feeling that you didn’t sleep well night after night could be to blame for having a negative outlook on life and add to one’s daily stress load.
Sleep apnea screenings in Marin and the Bay Area of California
If you snore or feel chronically fatigued day after day, it may be time to schedule a sleep apnea screening at Glen Park Dental. Our sleep apnea dentists can perform a thorough airway screening to determine if you could suffer from an airway blockage that is responsible for your snoring or fatigue. To learn more or schedule a consultation, please contact Glen Park Dental by calling (415) 585-1500.
