Do you think that sleep apnea is as simple as snoring? Do you know sleep apnea can affect multiple systems of our bodies and is related to serious health conditions such as high blood pressure? As we sleep, all of the muscles relax including the neck and throat muscles and if one has excess neck tissue due to obesity, it puts pressure on the airway and causes it to collapse, blocking the airway and lungs that have to work harder which causes snoring or cessation of breathing while sleeping up to hundreds of times every night.
Sound scary? The constant deprivation of oxygen every night has a negative impact on the body, especially blood pressure with pre-existing sleep apnea, the blood pressure may not fall which can lead to high blood pressure. It is a circular chain of reaction as every time the oxygen level drops, the blood pressure will be raised causing an adrenaline surge which increases stress on the heart as it
has to work harder to normalize the blood pressure, and consequently, heart attack and stroke.
It is important to take things seriously and consult a doctor if you experience or show signs or symptoms of sleep apnea as both are linked to many other life-threatening conditions besides high blood pressure. Those who are suffering from sleep apnea are usually not aware as one would not be able to detect it on his or her own unless you are keeping them at night by snoring or even noticing you stop breathing multiple times every night. The doctor will help you get an accurate diagnosis via sleep apnea CPAP trial in the comfort of your home or an in lab sleep test to avoid any long-term issues and recommend an early intervention such as CPAP therapy with a sleep apnea device to stop snoring, get better quality of sleep, and healthier overall well-being.
The Air Station
