Struggling with sleep apnea for a short time may leave you tired and a bit cranky. However, when you struggle with sleep apnea for a prolonged period of time, it can lead to other problems. Prolonged sleep deprivation can make you a danger to be around in certain circumstances. Here are a few symptoms you have been struggling with sleep apnea for some time, even if you didn’t know it.
SIGNS YOUR BODY HAS BEEN STRUGGLING WITH SLEEP APNEA
The most prominent sign of sleep apnea that has gone on for quite some time is problems with your heart. This can be anything from full-blown heart disease, to an increase in blood pressure. Hypertension often accompanies sleep apnea because of the stress a lack of oxygen puts on the heart muscle. Instead of letting your heart rest at night to recover, your heart is continually stressed, leading it to struggle to function properly long-term.
Diabetes can also accompany sleep apnea that has gone on for a prolonged period of time. It happens because the body struggles to process what you eat properly, leading to increased weight and obesity. The higher your weight goes, the more likely you are to have a problem with sleep apnea.
Sleep deprivation can lead to complete exhaustion. This can make it to where your reaction times are slower than a person who was drinking and decided to get behind the wheel. It can also make it to where your body isn’t able to discern reality from a dreamlike state. Prolonged sleep deprivation can even lead to premature death, and it should not be taken lightly.
If you think you may have sleep apnea, get checked out. You can speak your dentist at integratedDENTAL about the issue. They can both help you get diagnosed, and get the type of care you need.