Sleep apnea is more common than you may think. In fact, it affects approximately 30 million Americans are suffering from it. However, only around 6 million people have received a diagnosis. Something many people don’t know if that sleep apnea can have a significant impact on life expectancy. After all, this condition can have serious health consequences. Read on to learn more about sleep apnea, how it affects lifespan, and which treatment options are available.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder that causes breathing to repetitively cease as one sleeps. Most people who have asleep apnea experience a variety of symptoms, including loud snoring and daytime sleepiness. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea. This is when the airway narrows during sleep, leading to breathing disruptions. These reduce the quality of sleep and can lead to some serious consequences if not addressed.
How Does Sleep Apnea Impact Life Expectancy?
You may think that sleep apnea only affects sufferers’ sleep. However, it can lead to a variety of serious consequences when left untreated. This includes issues that can be life-threatening, like diabetes, high blood pressure, liver complications, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, obesity, and more. These conditions can make you very sick or even shorten your lifespan. In fact, a 2020 data review found that people with sleep apnea were 74% more likely to die of any cause. Sleep apnea increases the risk of heart failure by 140% and the risk of coronary heart disease by 30%. The good news is that by seeking treatment, you can keep sleep apnea and some related conditions at bay.
How Can Sleep Apnea Be Treated?
CPAP therapy has been the go-to treatment for sleep apnea sufferers for many years. However, it isn’t the best choice for everyone. Many people find these machines uncomfortable and difficult to wear throughout the night. The good news is that there are other solutions out there, like oral appliances. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has made recommendations for patients who are suffering from mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea to consider oral appliance therapy from a qualified dentist. This involves wearing a customized oral appliance during sleep. Some patients find success with a combination of CPAP therapy and oral appliance therapy, while others see improvement from oral appliance therapy on its own.
The longer you leave your sleep apnea untreated, the more dangerous it becomes. By getting the help you need, you could prolong your life!
About the Practice
At Creekview Family Dentistry, Dr. Shirley Mathew, Dr. Elizabeth Samuel, and Dr. Mayada Al-Tamimi work together to treat patients in the Lewisville area. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. To learn more about sleep apnea treatment or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (972) 459-1100.