The condition of sleep apnea occurs when a person’s breathing stops several times temporarily while they are sleeping. When anything like this occurs, your body will rouse you awake, so you may resume breathing. The frequent disruptions to your sleep prohibit you from getting a good night’s rest, which in turn causes you to feel extra fatigued during the day.
It occurs when your airway becomes clogged or collapses while you are sleeping. You and your sleeping partner may be jolted awake by a loud snore every time your breathing is restored. Many health problems can occur due to sleep apnea, such as obesity, high blood pressure, breathing issues, etc. When combined with a lack of sleep, these factors can cause damage to a wide variety of bodily functions and systems.
Endocrine System
The condition of insulin resistance, in which cells become less sensitive to the hormone insulin, is more common in those with sleep apnea. Insufficient insulin uptake by cells is a major risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. Sleep apnea has also been linked to metabolic syndrome, a group of cardiovascular risk factors that includes obesity, hypertension, high LDL cholesterol, and diabetes.
Nervous System
Central sleep apnea is one of the subtypes of sleep apnea, and it is characterized by a disturbance in the signals sent to and from the brain to facilitate breathing. This particular form of sleep apnea has also been linked to neurological symptoms such as tingling and numbness.
Respiratory System
Sleep apnea, which causes oxygen deprivation during sleep, can exacerbate respiratory conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). If you exercise more than normal, you might notice greater difficulty breathing or keeping your balance.
Digestive System
If you suffer from sleep apnea, you have an increased risk of developing fatty liver disease, abnormal liver enzyme levels significantly higher than usual, and liver scarring. Heartburn and other symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be made worse by obstructive sleep apnea, which can make it even more difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Cardiovascular System
Obesity and excessive blood pressure levels are also risk factors for sleep apnea, which puts an additional burden on your heart. When you have apnea, you also have a greater chance of having an irregular heart rhythm, such as atrial fibrillation, which can increase the likelihood of a stroke. People who have sleep apnea also have an increased risk of developing heart failure.
Various other problems
The following are some additional common issues that can occur due to sleep apnea:
- morning headaches,
- dry mouth or sore throat,
- difficulty focusing,
- impatience,
- irritability
Last Words
The good news is that sleep apnea, which interrupts sleep and raises the risk of several dangerous diseases, is now treatable. If you’re overweight, losing weight can help improve your sleep apnea symptoms while lowering your risk of developing heart disease. Make sure to get connected with the experts to get the appropriate sleep apnea treatment.
