Roughly 10% of Australians have obstructive sleep apnea. When a person snores, they may not realise that it may be the cause of their low energy levels during the day, no matter how much sleep they obtain. However, sleep apnea has serious ramifications for your general health if it is not recognised and treated.
If you or a loved one has symptoms consistent with undiagnosed sleep apnea, a sleep doctor can help you get a diagnosis and develop sleep apnea treatment plan by analysing the findings from your daily sleep habit and pattern. Several potentially deadly health disorders may be avoided with the right therapy and treatment, even with Sleep apnea, if treated properly your whole life experience can change for good. Stay with us as we explain the dangers of untreated obstructive sleep apnea.
Breathing Interruptions
Individuals with obstructive sleep apnea experience pauses during breathing between tens to hundreds of times each night. When the soft tissues of the throat collapse, blocking the airway, breathing stops.
Untreated sleep apnea is life-threatening because it causes repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep, which can reduce blood oxygen levels and increase carbon dioxide levels. The person may snore, choke, or gasp for air all night long because of the obstruction. With the right treatment plan in place, the patient will have a much easier time maintaining oxygen levels within the usual range.
Hypertension
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a silent killer since it raises the risk of cardiovascular problems including heart disease and stroke if it isn’t addressed. When blood pushes against the walls of the blood arteries with an excessively high force, the result is hypertension. Those who suffer from hypertension are continually subjected to increased effort with diminished results from their cardiovascular system. The extra strain placed on their cardiovascular system might cause permanent damage to the arterial lining.
High blood pressure is a common symptom of sleep apnea that goes undetected. Sleep apnea raises blood pressure because the patient’s body responds to stress during sleep by releasing hormones in excess. If your sleep apnea test shows that you suffer from sleep apnea, you should be careful to maintain a healthy blood pressure level.
Angina Pectoris
As was previously said, sleep apnea and hypertension, if left untreated, can cause serious health problems, such as heart attacks. Those who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea are at a greater risk of having a heart attack due to their consistently high blood pressure. Their normal heart rate increases when this occurs. Untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and death due to the negative effects of hypertension and arrhythmias.
Sleep apnea, if left untreated, can put a person at danger for sudden death, the severity of which varies by case. Because of the irregular heartbeat, they may experience a cardiac arrest at any time.
Sleep Apnea Evaluation and Therapy
Your sleep apnea risk increases if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or a history of heart disease. A sleep test should be initiated at the first sign of sleep disruption and in the presence of any of the aforementioned risk factors.
Is Surgery a Good Option in Treating Sleep Apnea?
One’s ability to function effectively throughout the day is directly related to the standard of sleep one receives each night. You could feel slow, restless, and unrested if you don’t get enough sleep. If you or a loved one suffers from obstructive sleep apnea, you may be seeking for a solution that will reduce the amount of times your breathing is interrupted while you sleep.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, in which a patient uses a machine to assist their breathing, is the standard method of treatment. They sleep with a device that applies pressure on their airway to keep it clear. Many people who suffer from sleep apnea are unsure if surgery is effective because not all patients can or want to utilise a CPAP machine. Read on as Air Liquide Healthcare explains whether or not sleep apnea surgery can help you get the restful night’s sleep you’ve been missing.
How effective is surgery for sleep apnea?
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, you are probably looking into your treatment options. If you suffer from sleep apnea and have tried CPAP treatments without success, you may be wondering if surgery is an option.
There is no proof that uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) surgery would fix your breathing issues, despite the fact that sleep apnea surgery has helped some people. The obstructed airway may be due to the doctor removing superfluous soft tissue at the back of the throat during UPPP surgery. However, only about 40-60 of every 100 individuals who have surgery for sleep apnea actually get treated. Even in the best of circumstances, you may need to use a CPAP machine.
If you have swollen tonsils that seem to be causing the obstruction, or if you have tried CPAP therapy and found no relief, your doctor may suggest UPPP as a therapeutic option for your obstructive sleep apnea.
Other surgical procedures, including maxillo-mandibular advancement, radiofrequency ablation, palatal implants, laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty, and tracheostomy, may be explored if UPPP is not a possibility.
Not Able to Get a Good Night’s Rest?
Expert at Air Liquide Healthcare can help. Instead of risking complications from an intrusive operation, you should consult with a reputable company like Air Liquide Healthcare to determine the best course of action for alleviating your sleeping difficulties. Get the finest night’s sleep possible with the support of our specialists, whether you’re looking for a CPAP machine for the first time or require other CPAP accessories to help ease your obstructive sleep apnea symptoms.