3 Reasons to Get Your Sleep Apnea Treated

People often make fun of or tease others who snore. While the problem can be amusing, it also causes problems that can lead to serious health concerns. Sleep apnea is not a laughing matter. Not only does it affect your sleep and your health, it also affects your partner’s sleep health.

Two Types of Sleep Apnea

The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). When the muscles relax during your sleep, the soft tissues in the back of the throat collapse and block the airway. Even though you try to breathe, you cannot until the brain gets the signal to wake you up.

The other type of sleep apnea is called central sleep apnea. This type is the result of instability in your body’s breathing control system. You simply stop breathing while you are sleeping. With central sleep apnea, the respiratory muscles fail to activate or the brain fails to signal them to activate.

Both types of sleep apnea are serious medical conditions. They prevent you from getting the rest you need. As a result of sleep deprivation, other medical problems can develop.

Health Issues Associated with Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a chronic disease that is affecting the health of millions of Americans. By itself it causes sleep deprivation, which leaves the individual fatigued. It also interrupts the sleep partner’s rest. If it is not treated, it can lead to high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and depression. In severe cases, sleep apnea can lead to the development of cancer. There have been incidences where it has caused death.

Do It for Your Partner

You may feel fatigued every morning you wake up due to sleep apnea, but your bed partner is also suffering. Loud, disruptive snoring prevents your partner from getting a restful night’s sleep. Additionally, those moments when you are not breathing can be worrying to your partner as they wait for you to take your next breath. The idea that your partner may not start breathing again can cause serious anxiety.

Get Relief from Morning Headaches

Sleep apnea deprives the brain of oxygen. Morning headaches are often cited as a symptom because the carbon dioxide levels in the blood increase as oxygen decreases. This causes the blood vessels in the head to dilate and results in vascular headaches. When you are awake and breathing regularly, the levels are brought back to normal and the headache subsides.

These are just a few of the many reasons you should get your sleep apnea treated as soon as possible. You and your partner will feel better once you are able to sleep normally again. Schedule an appointment with the Atlanta Sleep Apnea Treatment Center to begin treatment so you and your partner can have a good night’s sleep.