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Experience persistent fatigue upon waking? You may be dealing with sleep apnea, an often undiagnosed condition affecting millions globally. Discover the potential risks to your health and well-being by ignoring sleep apnea symptoms.
Explore effective sleep apnea treatment at Bella Vista Dental Care in Ahwatukee. Don’t let untreated sleep apnea compromise your cardiovascular health and cause daytime fatigue. Learn more about the importance of diagnosis and treatment for overall well-being.
There is a considerable number of individuals worldwide who are suffering from sleep apnea. It is a common sleeping disorder that is highlighted by interruptions in breathing during sleep. Many of those with this condition are undiagnosed. Hence, it is quite often left untreated.
When sleep apnea happens and is left untreated, it can lead to other health problems. Individuals who experience the symptoms of sleep apnea should see a health professional who can diagnose and recommend treatment options. This will prevent other harmful and severe effects on general well-being and health.
Let’s explore the risks and consequences of sleep apnea and why a proper diagnosis is crucial for maintaining optimal health.
Table of Contents
Hidden Dangers of Untreated Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea may seem to be a minor medical problem to some but when it is left untreated, there can be serious consequences. Here are some of the dangers when sleep apnea is undiagnosed and untreated and why it is crucial to seek treatment:
Daytime Impairment and Decreased Quality of Life
Sleep is an essential activity to maintain optimum health. When a person lacks sleep, it can lead to daytime impairment, like excessive sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, and decreased cognitive function.
This will also likely happen when sleep apnea is left untreated. The daily quality of life will deteriorate and an individual may experience chronic fatigue, modd disturbances, and reduced productivity.
When sleep apnea is properly diagnosed and treated, these effects can be prevented and overall well-being can be restored.
Impact on Mental Health
Mental health cannot be maintained without enough and proper sleep. If you are suffering for sleep apnea, mental health is definitely something that will be compromised. Here are the different ways that untreated sleep apnea can affect your mental health:
1. Depression
Untreated sleep apnea often leads to a prevalent mental health issue: depression. The lack of sleep disrupts the body’s chemical balance, resulting in symptoms such as sadness, hopelessness, and a diminished interest in activities. Individuals diagnosed with sleep apnea are five times more likely to experience depression.
2. Anxiety
Anxiety is another potential outcome of sleep apnea, manifesting as heightened restlessness and irritability. The persistent sleep interruptions caused by sleep apnea elevate stress hormone levels, triggering anxiety symptoms. Living with anxiety can significantly impact daily activities and relationships, underscoring the importance of addressing sleep apnea.
3. Cognitive Impairment
Proper cognitive function can be maintained with enough sleep. However, with sleep apnea, essential cognitive functions can be impaired. You may suffer from poor memory retention, critical thinking and attention skills.
The impairment of these cognitive abilities can lead to further mental degradation like poor concentration, forgetfulness, and decreased productivity. Overall, with cognitive impairment caused by sleep apnea, work performance will also be impaired resulting in reduced quality of life.
4. Mood Swings
Similar to anxiety and other mental health issues, untreated sleep apnea can resulleep deprivation caused by untreated sleep apnea can result to more frequent mood swings. This can be manifested in feelings of irritability and anger because of unstable emotions. With more frequent mood swings, relationships with family, friends, and colleagues can be severed.
5. Decreased Quality of Life
With all the mental issues that can arise when sleep apnea is untreated, the overall quality of life can deteriorate as well. When one lacks proper rest, there will be constant fatigue which will make it difficult to engage and participate in everyday activities, including exercise. This may result in feelings of isolation and low self-esteem.
Sleep Apnea and Safety
Activities that require attention may no longer be safe for individuals who have untreated sleep apnea. As discussed earlier, cognitive functions can be impaired by lack of sleep. Hence, safety in driving and operating machinery can be difficult to maintain.
When individuals with untreated sleep apnea continue to perform activities that require attention, they will have difficulty in making sound decisions when needed. Likewise, they won’t be able to react properly. This may cause unwanted accidents not only for them but also for the people around them.
Financial Costs of Untreated Sleep Apnea
Untreated sleep apnea can have significant financial costs for individuals.
Firstly, the medical expenses associated with diagnosis, treatment, and management can be quite high. Sleep studies, doctor’s appointments, and the purchase or rental of CPAP machines or other devices can add up over time.
Sleep apnea can also lead to other health issues such as cardiovascular problems or diabetes, which further increase medical costs.
Furthermore, untreated sleep apnea can impact productivity and performance at work, leading to potential loss of income or missed career opportunities.
Lastly, the lack of quality sleep due to sleep apnea can result in daytime drowsiness and an increased risk of accidents, potentially leading to additional financial burdens such as car repairs or legal fees.
Diagnose Sleep Apnea to Maintain Optimal Health
Several mental issues arise when sleep apnea is untreated. This is a sign that individuals who are experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea should consult with a health professional to obtain recommendations for proper management of sleep apnea.
With a proper diagnosis and recommendation for management of sleep apnea, individuals can enjoy better mental health and overall well-being.
