Recently, we discussed the dangers of a common sleep disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea. Like any sleep disorder, OSA deprives your mind and body of adequate rest. Unlike most other sleep disorders, however, patients with OSA may not realize their condition, unless a sleeping partner complains about the loud snoring that marks OSA, or sleep deprivation symptoms force you to seek answers. While its often-unobserved presence makes obstructive sleep apnea a dangerous condition, so too do the effects that the disorder can have on your systemic wellbeing. Today, your Astoria dentist, Dr. Leibowitz, explains one of the more harmful effects of obstructive sleep apnea—the increased risk of a stroke1.
Revisiting Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea describes a condition where your mouth and throat tissues become too relaxed when you sleep, blocking your airway and forcing you to stop breathing. The condition is marked by episodes of increasingly loud snoring as the tissues compress, then a moment of silence when your airway closes completely. After about ten seconds or more of silence, your mind begins to panic from the lack of oxygen and forces your body awake just enough to start breathing again with a loud gasp (though usually not loud enough to fully wake you). This cycle can repeat itself hundreds of times a night, and while you may not be aware of them, they can prevent you from entering the deep sleep that your mind and body need to rejuvenate and replenish their energy.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea & Stroke—A Two-Way Street
A stroke occurs when brain cells suddenly die because of a lack of oxygen. Often, this oxygen deficiency can occur from blood clots that clog the arteries carrying oxygenated blood to your brain, or when one of these arteries ruptures. Because sleep apnea repeatedly deprives your mind and body of oxygen, patients with the sleep disorder are more likely to develop a stroke from lack of oxygen. Also, patients who’ve suffered a stroke often develop sleep apnea afterwards, and left untreated, it can significantly hinder their recovery and increase the chances of experiencing a second stroke.
Treat OSA and Sleep Better with Help from Your Astoria Dentist
To learn more about treating obstructive sleep apnea, call our Astoria dentist’s office to schedule a dental consultation with Dr. Leibowitz. You can contact us by calling (718) 728-8320. Located in the 11106 area, we proudly serve patients from Astoria, Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the surrounding communities.
Reference:
- Glynn, S. (2012, October 2). “Sleep Apnea’s Double Impact On Stroke.” Medical News Today. Retrieved from
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/251018.php.
