What happens if you have sleep apnea and do nothing?

Sleep apnea, particularly when the disorder goes undiagnosed or untreated, has been linked to a wide-array of health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even glaucoma, and it may also increase your risk of death.


Can you live with untreated sleep apnea?

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, moderate sleep apnea increases your risk of death by 17%. The impact on life expectancy with untreated severe sleep apnea is even more profound: It roughly doubles your risk of death.

How long can you have sleep apnea and not know it?

“It's easy to forget to bring up these symptoms at your annual checkup, but you have to tell your doctor,” says Dr. Foldvary. “Otherwise, sleep apnea can be missed for many, many years.” It's quite likely that your doctor won't ask you about sleep apnea, she says.


Does sleep apnea get worse if not treated?

If left untreated, the effects of sleep apnea can get worse. Sleep is an important part of the body's recovery process; frequently interrupted sleep can raise stress levels, resulting in high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart disease. Sleep apnea has also been linked to stroke and Type 2 diabetes.

What are 4 symptoms of sleep apnea?

The most common symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas include:
  • Loud snoring.
  • Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep — which would be reported by another person.
  • Gasping for air during sleep.
  • Awakening with a dry mouth.
  • Morning headache.
  • Difficulty staying asleep, known as insomnia.


Sleep Apnea, Causes,Signs and Symptoms, DIagnosis and Treatment.



What can be mistaken for sleep apnea?

  • Alcoholism.
  • Alzheimer's Disease.
  • Amyloidosis.
  • Anxiety.
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
  • Dementia.
  • Depression.
  • Fibromyalgia.


What is the main cause of sleep apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much to allow normal breathing. These muscles support structures including the back of the roof of your mouth (soft palate), the triangular piece of tissue hanging from the soft palate (uvula), the tonsils and the tongue.

What is the best sleep position for sleep apnea?

Snoring and sleep apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea causes the airways to collapse during sleep, leading to pauses in breathing. It often goes hand-in-hand with snoring. Positioning yourself on your side or stomach can help the airways stay open to reduce snoring and alleviate mild apnea, Salas says.


Can you be healthy with sleep apnea?

One very common question that revolves around Sleep Apnea is, “Can Skinny People Have Sleep Apnea?” Sleep apnea is often associated with individuals who are overweight. Yet, obesity is not the sole cause of sleep disorders. A slender, healthy person can still suffer from sleep apnea.

What is the newest treatment for sleep apnea?

For years, the most common treatment for millions of people with sleep apnea involved wearing a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask. That is, until the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved a new, maskless treatment option -- the Inspire upper airway stimulation device.

How do I know if my sleep apnea is severe?

You're considered to have severe sleep apnea if your breathing stops and restarts more than 30 times an hour.
...
When to see your doctor
  1. loud, disruptive snoring.
  2. episodes of stopped breathing while sleeping.
  3. abrupt awakenings from sleep that are frequently accompanied by gasping or choking.


What does sleep apnea fatigue feel like?

You wake up enough to take a few breaths, but not enough to remember it the next morning. This cycle repeats itself many times each night, making you feel tired or exhausted in the morning. When you have OSA the apnea is caused by an obstruction or blockage.

What aggravates sleep apnea?

Your Sleep Position

Sleeping on your back can make your sleep apnea worse— this is because your tongue can fall back towards your throat and press against your airway. Any extra weight or pressure, such as body fat, around your airway can block it while you're on your back also. Instead, try sleeping on your side.

What is the death rate of sleep apnea?

The American Sleep Apnea Association estimates that 38,000 people in the United States die each year from heart disease with sleep apnea as a complicating factor. People with sleep apnea have difficulty breathing or stop breathing for short periods while sleeping. This treatable sleep disorder often goes undiagnosed.


Can sleep apnea cause sudden death?

Sleep apnoea is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and all-cause sudden death, with a marginally significant dose–response relationship, where those with severe sleep apnoea are at the highest risk of mortality.

What are the 3 types of sleep apnea?

There are three forms of sleep apnea: central, obstructive, and complex. The most common of these is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

What are 3 symptoms of sleep apnea?

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness.
  • Loud snoring that is often punctuated by gasping or choking sounds.
  • Headaches in the morning that may persist for several hours after waking up.
  • Dry mouth upon awakening.
  • Restless sleep with periods of wakefulness during the night.


At what age does sleep apnea start?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when a child stops breathing during sleep. The cessation of breathing usually occurs because there is a blockage (obstruction) in the airway. Obstructive sleep apnea affects many children and is most commonly found in children between 2 and 6 years of age, but can occur at any age.

Is sleep apnea a big deal?

But sometimes that harsh, rasping sound is more than just annoying; it can be life-threatening. About half of the 90 million Americans who snore have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition that actually disrupts breathing, is linked to heart disease, and can even be fatal.

Is it better to sleep with your head high or low for sleep apnea?

"Sleeping with the head as elevated and upright as possible, such as with an adjustable bed or recliner, may be helpful in improving sleep apnea symptoms." Wedge-shaped pillows made of foam rather than a squishier material can help you achieve the right position that keeps the airway more open.


Do breathe right strips work for sleep apnea?

Side Effects of Breathe Right Strips

Though nasal dilator strips may improve snoring, they do not treat sleep apnea. Using the strips to reduce symptoms may give a false sense of confidence in the effectiveness of the therapy.

How many pillows should you sleep with if you have sleep apnea?

If you don't have a wedge pillow and want to elevate your head, you could try using several pillows to achieve a similar effect. However, if you don't get the angle right you could end up constricting your airways further! We usually recommend sleeping with one pillow that is suited to your sleeping position and needs.

What does sleep apnea do to your brain?

These breathing pauses can prevent your body from supplying enough oxygen to the brain. In severe cases this lack of oxygen can lead to brain damage. Signs of this damage include memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and moodiness.


Is it hard to live with sleep apnea?

Results show that people who have severe sleep apnea, which involves frequent breathing pauses during sleep, have three times the risk of dying due to any cause compared with people who do not have sleep apnea.

Does sleep apnea cause belly fat?

Those with the sleep disorder can have increased insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, which can lead to type 2 diabetes, weight gain, and the body storing more fat, especially belly fat. Sleep apnea may cause metabolic dysfunction through a few different pathways.