How Sleep Apnea Affects Your Health
Submitted by New Jersey Snoring Solutions on Wed 07/22/2015 - 09:41
You may have heard that sleep apnea can lead to a higher risk of some health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, stroke and diabetes. Recent studies have even linked sleep apnea to an early decline in cognitive mental health. Below we review some other health risks associated with sleep apnea that may surprise you.
Additional Health Concerns Associated With Sleep Deprivation
Each night, your body repairs cell damage and forms new neuro-pathways to maintain the health of your central nervous system. If you do not get enough sleep each night, your body is not able to restore itself properly. Thus, you may find it difficult to concentrate, learn new things and even balance. Your emotions can also be affected, causing mood swings and irritability. Some people experience hallucinations, paranoia, depression and suicidal thoughts.
Chronic sleep deprivation can also weaken your immune system, so you are more susceptible to catching a cold or the flu or contracting disease. If you have a chronic respiratory disorder, it is likely that sleep deprivation will make it worse.
In addition, long-term sleep deprivation has been shown to cause weight gain, and is a risk factor for obesity. It can cause your body to release too much insulin after a meal as well as encourage it to store fat, increasing the risk of developing type-2 diabetes. Sleep deprivation can also lead to high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke, as mentioned above.
Finally, sleep deprivation increases your risk of suffering an accident, especially an occupational or auto accident. In fact, driving while drowsy is the cause of at least 100,000 car accidents every year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Get a Good Night’s Rest
If you sleep seven to nine hours each night, but wake up feeling exhausted, irritable or unable to concentrate, consider the possibility that you may suffer from a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea. Snoring at night and constantly yawning during the day are two more possible indicators that you suffer from sleep apnea. If this sounds familiar, contact New Jersey Sleep Apnea Solutions by calling (855) WHY-SNORE or (855) 949-7667 now.
