A good night’s sound sleep is a sign of good health. Irregular sleep causes many health issues. OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) is one such common disorder which has been seen in increasing numbers amongst people in the last few decades. It later leads to more complicated health issues. Snoring is one such issue, which mostly happens due to OSA. It also gives birth to health issues like diabetes and blood pressure. Hence, sleep apnea needs to be cured early on.
Some of the health risks due to OSA are:
High blood pressure is one of the biggest risks that occur because of OSA. If blood pressure already exists, then sleep apnea gets worse, with one even experiencing stressful times during sleep when the blood pressure tends to spike. Oxygen levels in the body could also decrease, leading to breathing difficulties. For most people, treating sleep apnea will also control blood pressure levels greatly.
Keeping the heart healthy is one of the greatest challenges for being healthy. People with OSA are more likely to get heart attacks. The reason is because of low oxygen and a stressful time at night. Sleep apnea also causes the oxygen circulation to the brain and in arteries to be uneven.
80% of people with sleep apnea are more likely to be affected by Type 2 Diabetes. Going further, people with both OSA and type 2 diabetes are more likely to be obese and struggle to tackle with obesity in their lives later. Not getting enough shut-eye also leads to diabetes.
Gaining extra pounds or sudden weight gain also leads to a person acquiring sleep apnea. This condition can also make it tough to slim down. Sleep apnea also increases the levels of the hormone ghrelin, which causes sugary cravings, leading to sudden weight gain.
Sleep apnea also causes tiredness and indigestion, exhausting a person physically as well as mentally.
Treating OSA not just takes care of it, but can also end up making a person feel energetic and fit, and also end up improving one’s sleep.
Health issues because of sleep apnea are great in numbers, yes, but if one treats it at the early stages, it can put a stop to many possible future problems. One of the most effective ways to treat sleep apnea is via a masked device called CPAP. It is connected to the nose and helps a person breathe freely with proper pressure in the airway, thus improving one’s sleep.