Many people have survived for years without knowing they had sleep apnea, so this is a very common reaction to a diagnosis: “I’ve gone this long, and I’m fine. Why does it matter?”
The short answer is that your long-term health depends on sufficient sleep and oxygen levels.
The immediate results of sleep apnea are not to be discounted, either. The exhaustion, restless sleep, and potential insomnia are not par for the course. They can be treated. After all, you deserve effective sleep.
Effective Sleep
REM and deep sleep are absolutely necessary for truly efficient rest. Out of the seven to nine hours of sleep that adults need per night, at least ninety minutes of that needs to be deeper sleep in order to get true rest.
Sleep apnea disrupts sleep cycles by waking up the sleeper regularly. This prevents them from going into full REM sleep and deep sleep.
One day of bad sleep won’t be the worst thing ever. Two or three are survivable. But if every single night has little to no REM and deep sleep, as happens with sleep apnea, your body will begin to exhibit signs of sleep deprivation, which include:
- Memory trouble.
- Mood changes.
- Weakened immunity.
- Trouble concentrating.
- Poor response time.
- Increased risk of accidents.
- High blood pressure.
- Weight gain.
- Risk for diabetes.
- Risk of heart disease.
- Poor balance.
Sleep apnea treatment is necessary in order to allow your body to get that deep rest it so desperately needs.
Hypoxemia
Oxygen is critical to our survival. This is fairly common knowledge; without oxygen, we die.
Most cases of sleep apnea will not suffocate anyone so dramatically. Its effects are much subtler.
When we have trouble breathing enough, we also get less oxygen than we should. Chronically low oxygen in our breathing can result in sleep-related hypoxemia, which is a dangerously low blood oxygen level.
Some immediate results of hypoxemia can be:
- Headaches.
- Shortness of breath.
- Fast heartbeat.
- Coughing.
- Confusion.
- Bluish color in skin, fingernails, and lips.
In the long term, these symptoms are severely detrimental to heart and brain function. Slowly, this lack of oxygen caused by sleep apnea can make the vision degrade, speech to slur, and memory to fade.
Sleep apnea treatments ensure that you get plenty of oxygen during your sleep, therefore keeping your brain and heart safe.
Everyday Functionality
Everyone deserves the right to start the day refreshed from their sleep. However, if you have sleep apnea, this is likely not the case for you.
That does not have to be the status quo. Sleep apnea treatment is designed to enable you to fully rest during sleep and function at 100% during the active part of your day. Getting enough rest increases your energy levels, improves your ability to concentrate, and lowers the stress and tension that is carried in your body.
Talk to Us About Treatment for Sleep Apnea
Treating sleep apnea is more than just an optional luxury. It can truly bring a dramatic revitalization to your everyday life and to your long-term health.
If you have sleep apnea, don’t hesitate to talk to us about treatment options!