Sleep apnea is a medical condition that affects a lot of people each night. The symptoms can cause serious problems for patients if they go ignored. Some of the symptoms include snoring, shortness of breath or an inability to breathe throughout the night.

Want to learn more about sleep apnea? In this article, we discuss what can happen if it goes untreated. This information is important to take note of, especially for patients who believe they are suffering from sleep apnea. Any symptoms should be immediately addressed by a dentist who can administer treatment. 

What can happen if sleep apnea goes untreated?

Below, we outline what can happen if sleep apnea goes ignored. Keep reading to find out more!

High blood pressure

When a patient experiences apnea while asleep, it typically causes their blood oxygen levels to plummet. When this occurs, the blood pressure increases significantly, which can cause strain on the entire cardiovascular system. In the long term, if sleep apnea goes untreated, the high blood pressure can result in irreparable damage to the entire cardiovascular system.

Fatigue

One of the most obvious things that can happen when sleep apnea goes untreated is fatigue. Most patients who suffer from this condition do not get a good night’s sleep. Repeatedly waking up in the middle of the night due to the airway becoming obstructed can become very disruptive. Long-term, fatigue can cause problems with the patient’s personal and professional life. Outside of that, the patient’s health can become at risk. Sleep is important and without it, the body will not function the way that it is supposed to.

Headaches

Another long-term result of untreated sleep apnea is headaches. These can occur on a frequent basis even when sleep apnea first begins. Headaches can also cause severe problems for a patient’s personal and professional life. They may inhibit a person from performing necessary tasks such as work or caring for their families.

Memory problems

Sleep apnea is also known to cause memory problems for patients who do not undergo treatment. When a patient’s sleep is repeatedly disrupted by the obstruction in their airway, it is likely that they will become fatigued. Fatigue can lead to short-term memory loss, which could eventually turn into long-term. Over time, if the sleep apnea is not treated, the patient’s memory could suffer severely.

Sleep apnea treatment

It is important to have symptoms of sleep apnea diagnosed and treated by a medical professional. The information provided in this article only outlines some of the possible things that could happen; there are many other conditions that could develop as a result of untreated sleep apnea.

If you have questions or concerns about treating sleep apnea, then reach out to our office so that we can help you. Our team can go over your symptoms and help determine what type of treatment route is best for you.

Request an appointment here: https://www.wellbeingdentistry.com or call Well Being Dentistry at (408) 244-0590 for an appointment in our Santa Clara office.