Dangers of sleep apnea when left untreated.
Whether you are having difficulty breathing or snoring, you shouldn't leave the medical condition untreated for a long time. Often people ignore the dangerous signs of such health conditions, thinking that snoring or opening an open mouth is common for people sleeping on their back or when they get older.
However, that's not the truth because sleep apnea is often associated with several dangers people must be aware of. Without having appropriate knowledge, they won't be able to make the right decision and will suffer from this condition further. Therefore, we have described the significant risk factors associated with sleep apnea, whether it is obstructive or central.
Lack of sleep or insomnia
Due to snoring at night or having trouble breathing, you might not be able to sleep properly. People with chronic sleep apnea often complain about little to no sleep during the night. It can lead to insomnia if the issue persists for months. As a result, your physical and psychological health will take a toll on you don't want. So, please consult your doctor at the earliest without making any delay.
Stress and increased depression
Sleep apnea can also result in increased stress levels and depression in people. This is why doctors often suggest treating the condition at the earliest so the patient can remain safe from these medical and psychological problems.
Problems in the respiratory system
Another side effect of prolonged conditions of sleep apnea is respiratory problems. People often suffer from congestion in the upper respiratory tract, bronchitis, and so on. In extreme cases, the cold and cough never leave the side, let alone get cured completely. This is why people with sleep apnea should get the disease treated immediately to avoid any fatal condition.
Cardiovascular diseases
Another area where sleep apnea has negative impacts is cardiovascular health. People often suffer from different heart conditions, like higher blood pressure, improper pulse rhythm, etc. It usually happens when people suffer from central sleep apnea, where the muscles controlling the breathing operations don't function according to expectations.
Asthma in adults
Often sleep apnea leads to asthma in adults. It is a medical condition when your respiratory tract is blocked, causing shortness of breath. If you can get rid of sleep apnea, you won't have asthma anymore.
Shortness of breath during physical activities
When you exercise, your body goes into an overdrive to supply oxygen to the tissues faster than ever. As a result, your lungs need enough oxygen supply, for which your breathing will increase. However, you won't be able to breathe when you suffer from sleep apnea. Exercises are often associated with shortness of breath, causing you to gasp often to inhale oxygen.
Forceful inhalation and exhalation
Since the air passage will be blocked by sleep apnea, you will often gasp for air during sleep, talking to someone, and so on. As a result, your body will lack oxygen, causing you to inhale and exhale forcefully. The intercostal ribs between the rib bones and the sternum can start aching after a couple of hours of forceful breathing.
Conclusion
This blog has discussed the significant risk factors associated with sleep apnea. Since some of these can prove to be dangerous and fatal for you, you should always consult the doctor the moment you realize the symptoms are that of sleep apnea. Your doctor will prescribe medicines, nasal drops, and other such items with proper screening and laboratory results.