Sleep apnea comorbidities such as diabetes and sleep apnea often exist at the same time in a patient and the two conditions can have a connection but do not mean that one health condition causes the other and the nature of the connection is unknown. Other serious sleep apnea comorbidities that are connected with sleep apnea especially obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are stroke, diabetes, heart disease, and even possibly cancer, and can be fatal.
According to a 2008 study published in the Journal Chest, the majority of patients with type 2 diabetes have OSA and OSA is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality. Similarly, a 2012 study published in the American Journal of Cardiology states that sleep apnea is often observed in patients with heart failure, sleep apnea patients have elevated blood pressure, and sleep apnea reduces cardiac output that promotes the progression of heart failure hence heart
disease is closely linked with common sleep apnea comorbidities amongst the health risk of sleep-disordered breathing. Transient ischemic attacks and stroke are also highly prevalent in OSA patients according to a 2012 study published in Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy and sleep apnea is an independent risk factor for stroke and mortality. Although there isn’t any strong connection between cancer and sleep apnea as comorbidities, a 2020 study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine showed that there is a link between snoring and sleep-disordered breathing with increased risk of cancer with 1,500 people tracked for 22 years and found that those who had mild or moderate snoring increases their risk of cancer death. Lastly, if one is obese with OSA, his or her risk of sudden cardiovascular death is high as elucidated by a study published in the Journal of Internal Medicine. Other sleep apnea comorbidities also include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), hypertension, and depression.
If you suspect that you might be at risk of any form of sleep disorder such as sleep apnea, it is important to get a diagnosis early, consider trying out the sleep apnea symptom quiz that is available on the American Sleep Association website. Consult the doctor after taking the quiz to confirm the diagnosis early and the underlying issue of the cause of sleep apnea. The doctor will dispense a sleep apnea test in the comfort of your home or an in-lab sleep test to determine the precise nature of your condition and to avoid any long-term issues and early interventions such as CPAP therapy with a sleep apnea device to stop snoring, get better quality of sleep, and healthier overall well-being
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