Can Sleep Apnea Affect Your Life Expectancy?

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that may affect more people than you think. It’s believed that 30 million people in the U.S. alone have it, with only about 6 million of them getting a diagnosis. Many downplay its symptoms as annoyances, but it can have serious complications with health and even life expectancy. But what are the risks of untreated sleep apnea? Keep reading to learn more about it and how it can affect lifespan.

What Exactly Is Sleep Apnea?

In short, sleep apnea is when you stop breathing while you are asleep for 10 seconds or longer at least five times a night. The most common type of this condition is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and this is when your throat muscles relax and block your airways. Some common signs you may have it are:

• Loud snoring
• Daytime drowsiness
• Trouble with concentration and paying attention to things
• Irritability

So, Can Sleep Apnea Affect Life Expectancy?

If someone has sleep apnea, then the consequences it can have on their life are a lot more than just feeling tired and snoring. For instance, this condition can worsen other systemic health issues like heart disease and diabetes while affecting blood pressure, depression, and even your liver to name a few.

A patient may be at a higher risk of falling ill, possibly shortening their lifespan. In fact, OSA can make it more likely for a person to pass for any cause when compared to an individual without this sleep disorder. They may also be more accident-prone, whether at work or driving, due to their excessive drowsiness. 

How Can My Dentist Treat Sleep Apnea?

With that being said, you may wonder what options are available to you to treat sleep apnea if you have it. The good news is your dentist is here to help, as they likely offer a couple of different services you can pick from, such as:

• Oral appliance therapy is a custom device that you wear during the night while you rest. It helps keep your throat open, so air can flow freely and doesn’t get blocked by the muscles as they relax.
• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are handy devices that help deliver continuous air through your mouth or nose. You’ll wear a mask while you sleep, but it may be a bit uncomfortable or loud for certain patients.

You may find one of them works best, but certain cases may have you using both to treat your sleep apnea. That way, you can get peaceful nights knowing that you are prolonging your life. 

About the Practice

At GoTo Sleep Center, you benefit from a team of skilled dentists who are here to help you get the undisturbed rest you deserve. We are here to help you get a sleep apnea diagnosis, so we can then give you a treatment that works out for you. By learning more about your lifestyle and preferences, we can give you the right option and help get you relief from this condition. If you believe you have this sleep disorder, schedule an appointment or call our office at (623) 299-8799.