Sleep Apnea Can Be Dangerous
Sleep Apnea Can Be Dangerous
September 29, 2015
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Sleep Apnea Complications

Sleep Apnea Complications

Effects Of Sleep Apena

Sleep Apnea Complications could be serious, or even deadly.

In last week’s blog, Dr. Ringer talked a bit about Sleep Apnea, but did not talk about the serious complications that can occur if you have Sleep Apnea.

Web MD explains that Sleep Apnea Complications can be quite serious and do have some life threatening complications. These include, but are not limited to,

  • Daytime Fatigue
  • Heart Problems
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Metabolic Syndrome
  • Liver Problems
  • Surgery and Medication Problems
  • Partners who are Sleep Deprived

If you suffer from Sleep Apnea, daytime fatigue could be a real issue, especially if you find yourself waking up several times while you are asleep. People who have Sleep Apnea may experience irritability, fatigue, and daytime drowsiness. If you have a hard time concentrating at work because you fall asleep or while you are watching TV, you may be suffering from Sleep Apnea. Some with Sleep Apnea are also at risk for accidents in the workplace and falling asleep at the wheel. If you have Sleep Apnea, you may also be depressed, moody, or quick to anger.

Sleep Apnea can cause an increase in your blood pressure because of a blood oxygen level drop. Sleep Apnea can also put a strain on your heart and your cardiovascular system. Sleep Apnea may also increase your risk of heart attacks, atrial fibrillation, or abnormal heartbeats. If you have Sleep Apnea, your risk of stroke increases as well, especially if you have an underlying heart condition. Low blood pressure can also cause you to have an irregular heartbeat, which could result in sudden death.

The risk of Type 2 Diabetes increases if you suffer from Sleep Apnea as people with Sleep Apnea are at higher risk of developing a resistance to insulin along with Type 2 Diabetes.

Metabolic Syndrome is a disorder that is a collection of risk factors that can put you in the high-risk category for heart disease. Metabolic Syndrome is a condition that includes high blood sugar, abnormal cholesterol, high blood pressure, and a larger waist circumference.

Sleep Apnea can also cause complications when it comes to general anesthesia and certain types of medications. People who suffer from Sleep Apnea are more prone to complications after major surgery because of the breathing problems associated with Sleep Apnea. If you are about to undergo surgery, make sure that you tell your physician that you suffer from Sleep Apnea and how you are being treated for it.

If you have Sleep Apnea, you may also experience abnormal results if you are undergoing liver function tests. People who suffer from Sleep Apnea have more signs of scarring on their liver. This is known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Loud snoring can cause your partner to become sleep deprived. Because of a lack of sleep, it can cause problems for your relationship. In fact, it is quite common for a partner to sleep in another room because of a partner who is suffering from Sleep Apnea, which is just another one of those Sleep Apnea Complications.

Next week, Dr. Ringer will tell you how you can prepare for your Sleep Apnea appointment.

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