Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea is a serious condition that could be fatal, and if you follow Dr. Jack Ringers Blog, you will have learned that sleep apnea can lead to a variety of other conditions including congestive heart failure.

Unfortunately, some people are not even aware that they have the disorder. Patients who live alone don’t know about the gasping episodes that take place dozens of times during sleep.

Dr. Ringer, who is certified to provide oral appliance therapy for people who have the disorder, understands how being over-tired can often become deadly, especially if you or someone you know falls asleep at the wheel, but what are some of the other risks if you leave your sleep apnea untreated?

Health Risks

Frequent heart attacks have been linked to the disorder, and if underlying heart disease is an issue, the low blood oxygen levels could lead to stroke. If left untreated, those constant gasping for breath episodes could cause hypoxemia, or sudden death because of irregular heartbeat.

Type 2 Diabetes is common in people who have sleep apnea, as patients are more prone to insulin resistance.

Metabolic Syndrome is a collection of the other risks that are associated with people in the higher risk heart disease category. Some research indicates a link between sleep apnea and a combination of increased waist size, high blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol levels.

Surgery and Medications complications are more common in people with the disorder as people who have breathing problems are more likely to have general anesthesia and medication problems during sedation. If you are having surgery be sure to let your doctor know you are suffering from sleep apnea.

Liver Problems can be an issue for people with sleep apnea. Patients with the disorder are showing abnormal results on liver tests with signs of liver scarring known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

If you or someone you know hasn’t been diagnosed with sleep apnea but you suspect you are suffering, or if you have the disorder and can no longer tolerate your CPAP machine, call or click and schedule an appointment with Dr. Jack Ringer from Dental Cosmetics in Anaheim Hills for an oral appliance therapy consultation.

You really can sleep better at night. Call or click now.