Snoring may be one thing, but sleep apnea is quite another. The two are commonly confused, leading many people to go several years without seeking a diagnosis or treatment. Unfortunately, mistaking chronic snoring from obstructive sleep apnea has serious consequences for your overall health and quality of life. Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, is the most common form of sleep apnea. It occurs when the muscles lining your airway become too relaxed, collapsing and obstructing air flow to your lungs. Unlike obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to properly regulate the opening and closure of your airway during sleep; it accounts for only 5 percent of sleep apnea cases. Dr. Jeffrey Leibowitz, a dentist who treats sleep apnea in Astoria, NY, explains the importance of seeking treatment for OSA.
Possible Complications of OSA
Cardiac problems are among the most deadly complications linked to untreated sleep apnea. During sleep, the levels of oxygen in your blood drop dramatically. Even though this may only occur a few times throughout the night, over the long run it subjects your cardiovascular system to severe stress. High blood pressure is much more prevalent in patients who have sleep apnea. As the severity of sleep apnea increases, so does the risk of hypertension. Other cardiovascular problems associated with sleep apnea include congestive heart failure, stroke risk, and a greater risk for life-threatening atrial fibrillation.
Because you cannot get a good night’s sleep, you will likely experience symptoms of deprivation, including irritability, depression, and difficulty focusing throughout the day. Fatigue is common, too, and stems from the brain’s constant need to awaken when deprived of oxygen. Coping with stress becomes more difficult, so it isn’t unusual for patients who have sleep apnea to also grind their teeth, bite their nails, and sustain chipped or broken teeth.
Studies suggest that sleep apnea contributes to glaucoma and swelling of the optic nerve. The good news is that these problems generally clear up once you seek treatment for sleep apnea. Men with sleep apnea are more likely to have erectile dysfunction, a result of restricted blood flow and low oxygen levels in the blood. Sleep apnea can even create complications following invasive surgery, which requires the patient to remain lying on his back. Sedatives relax muscles in the airway, making breathing difficult during and after surgery.
Additional complications of untreated sleep apnea include impaired liver function, obesity, diabetes, and even high-risk pregnancy.
Why Snoring Treatment Alone Isn’t Enough
Nasal strips, such as Breathe Right strips, are effective for short-term management of snoring, but they do little or nothing to treat sleep apnea. The problem is in your airway, not your nasal passages. However, many lifestyle changes are effective for reducing the effects of both snoring and sleep apnea. These include:
- Weight loss
- Sleep hygiene
- Avoiding stimulants like caffeine
- Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption
Questions about treating sleep apnea in Astoria, NY? To learn more about OSA, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jeffrey Leibowitz, contact us at (718) 728-8320. We welcome patients living in Queens, Astoria, NYC, upstate New York, and New Jersey.
