Prolonged sleep apnea not only affects sleep but also increases the risk of health problems such as heart disease and high blood pressure.
Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing stops during sleep. These sleep interruptions make it difficult to sleep well and make you more tired during the day. If left untreated, this condition can contribute to a number of other long-term health conditions and risks.
High blood pressure: People with sleep apnea often wake up at night, causing insomnia and prolonged stress. This affects hormone levels, increasing blood pressure. Obstructed breathing during sleep affects blood oxygen levels and aggravates high blood pressure.
Heart attack: People with obstructive sleep apnea are at higher risk of heart attack and atrial fibrillation. This may be because sleep apnea disrupts oxygen transport, making it difficult for the brain to control the amount of blood flowing through the arteries.
Heart failure: Obstructive sleep apnea can cause pulmonary hypertension or right-sided heart failure. This occurs when the right ventricle cannot pump enough blood to the lungs. As a result, blood builds up in the veins and fluid backs up into the tissues, causing swelling. Symptoms of right-sided heart failure include swelling in the feet, ankles, and legs. Right-sided heart failure can lead to congestive heart failure.
Stroke: Obstructive sleep apnea can reduce blood flow and oxygen to organs, increasing the risk of ischemic stroke, which occurs when blood vessels to the brain are blocked. This condition is also known as sleep apnea.
Daytime sleepiness: Feeling tired and sleepy after a bad night's sleep can be a common symptom of sleep apnea. It can affect your mood, energy levels, and quality of life. Early treatment can improve the condition.
Sleep apnea can cause fatigue and sleepiness the next day. Photo: Freepik
Type 2 Diabetes: Waking up multiple times during the night affects sleep quality as well as some metabolic processes in the body. Lack of sleep can cause insulin disorders, leading to diabetes.
Weight gain: Weight gain also increases the risk of sleep apnea, which hinders weight loss. People with sleep apnea produce more of the hormone ghrelin, which increases cravings for starches and sweets. In addition, fatigue from lack of sleep can disrupt the process of converting food into energy, leading to weight gain.
Metabolic syndrome: A group of health conditions associated with obstructive sleep apnea such as high blood sugar, high cholesterol, high blood triglycerides, high blood pressure... Untreated metabolic syndrome can increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes or stroke.
Brain fog: Prolonged sleep apnea can lead to brain fog. This is a condition characterized by lack of concentration, forgetfulness, slow reaction times, and memory problems.
Depression: Long-term sleep deprivation can lead to depression. Talk to your doctor about treatments to improve your mood and sleep quality.
Bao Bao (According to WebMD )
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