The American Academy of Sleep Medicine estimates that nearly 30 million Americans have OSA, or Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Unfortunately, about 80% of those people are undiagnosed, and this can lead to serious health complications, including high blood pressure, stroke, and more.
Let’s take a look at the dangers of untreated sleep apnea.
How Is Sleep Apnea Dangerous?
When you have sleep apnea, your throat muscles relax and cover your airway while you’re sleeping. This causes you to stop breathing. Then you’ll gasp and choke and wake yourself up, only to do it all over again, sometimes hundreds of times each night.
So, if you’ve been told you snore loudly or that you’re holding your breath when you sleep, we encourage you to call us for a sleep apnea screening. We can prescribe a custom mouthguard or refer you for a CPAP machine if that’s your best treatment option.
Without treatment, sleep apnea can increase your risk for one or more of the following:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- Pregnancy complications
- Alzheimer’s disease
Worried About Untreated Sleep Apnea Risks?
To learn more about sleep apnea treatment importance and the serious sleep apnea health complications, please reach out to our experienced dental team! At NOLA Dentures and General Dentistry, we can help you get the care and quality sleep you deserve.
Please contact our office at (504) 392-5104 to learn more.