I think I might have sleep apnea. What happens if I don’t get it treated?

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I think I might have sleep apnea. What happens if I don’t get it treated?

Elizabeth Clancy Answered question December 28, 2021
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It depends on how severe the sleep apnea is and whether you have other risk factors. Consequences of sleep apnea range from mild to severe and may include daytime tiredness, loud snoring, elevated blood pressure, and heart problems. As for what “problems” means, untreated sleep apnea puts you at an increased risk of suffering heart attacks, strokes, atrial fibrillation, and much more.

Here’s where other risk factors become important, as sleep apnea is more common among men, overweight, and older people. All of these are also risk factors for heart conditions due to other reasons, meaning that if you have all three risk factors, sleep apnea becomes exponentially more dangerous.

The good news is that sleep apnea is treatable and even curable. One solution gaining popularity is oral appliances that help keep the airways open; you can click here to see an example on the SomnoMed website.

Elizabeth Clancy Answered question December 28, 2021