Why Treating Sleep Apnoea is Important

Sleep apnoea is a condition that affects the upper airway during sleep. It involves the walls of the throat coming together and blocking the airway, causing a person to temporarily stop breathing. Sufferers will often wake during the night choking or gasping for air, contributing to broken sleep and increasing the risk of health problems. This blog post provides some important reasons why sleep apnoea should be treated as soon as possible.

It Puts Your Heart at Risk

While the negative health effects of sleep apnoea have been known for a while, only recently have studies found just how much of an impact sleep apnoea can have on heart health. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) has reported that untreated sleep apnoea more than doubles the risk of death caused by heart disease. This is thought to be due to the condition causing high blood pressure and low oxygen levels, both of which place strain on the heart.

It Can Cause Other Negative Health Effects

In addition to increasing the risk of heart disease, sleep apnoea can also put a person at risk of developing other severe medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes, stroke, and fatty liver disease. Getting sleep apnoea treated gives sufferers the best chance of lowering their risk of negative health effects.

It Affects Quality of Life

Untreated sleep apnoea can impact quality of life in a number of ways. As well as increasing the risk of physical health problems, it can also cause daytime sleepiness, irritability, mental fogginess and depression. The quality of life of partners can also be affected as well due to the loud and disruptive snoring that’s often a symptom of sleep apnoea.

It Contributes to Bad Breath

A common symptom of sleep apnoea is dry mouth caused by breathing through the mouth during sleep, which is a leading contributor to bad breath. Not only can this cause issues with oral health, but it can also affect a person’s confidence when talking to others.

Make an Appointment with EBDG Today

At East Bentleigh Dental Group, we’re capable of identifying and treating cases of sleep apnoea. If you suspect you or a family member might be exhibiting symptoms of the condition, make an appointment with our sleep apnoea dentist today by calling (03) 9575 1100. Alternatively, you can visit your regular GP for diagnosis and treatment.