person sleeping

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by regular lapses or interruptions in breathing while one sleeps. The disorder is highly treatable, which is a good thing, as the health consequences can be dire – ranging from daytime fatigue and drowsiness to more serious complications such as high blood pressure, heart issues and a greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Hence, some of the obvious health benefits of treatment involve better sleeping and better breathing, at least while you’re tucked in for the night. Here’s a look at some of the other health benefits:

Heart Health

Sleep apnea may lead to sudden drops in blood oxygen levels – and higher blood pressure overall – as well as heart abnormalities, potentially leading to the likes of a stroke, heart attack or the onset of heart disease. Therefore, if sleep apnea is treated and corrected, blood pressure is kept in check and some of the more dire effects of the sleep disorder are essentially eliminated.

Healthy Weight

It’s believed that about half of all people with obstructive sleep apnea are either overweight or obese. Excess weight and sleep apnea don’t go hand in hand, as excess tissue in the neck and throat can swell up and enlarge while one is asleep, thereby obstructing the airway. However, for many, sleep apnea will completely subside should an individual make an effort to get back to a healthy weight. And that’s one big benefit of treating sleep apnea through diet and exercise – becoming an overall healthier person and avoiding many of the health consequences associated with being overweight or obese (i.e. diabetes, osteoarthritis, high cholesterol, etc.).

Healthier Living

Just as excess weight is a factor in the development or worsening of sleep apnea, so is heavy alcohol consumption and smoking. That’s because smoking can lead to excess swelling in the upper airway and excessive alcohol consumption can impact the muscle tone in the back of the throat. Taking into consideration that heavy drinking and smoking aren’t exactly the epitome of good health, minimizing or completely dropping such habits from your lifestyle won’t only help or eliminate sleep apnea, but also improve your overall health.

Aside from the aforementioned, treating sleep apnea can also eliminate daytime fatigue, which can lead to a higher risk of workplace accidents and car accidents. This lack of restorative sleep that is often associated with sleep apnea can also lead to sudden mood changes and irritability, so, while perhaps not a direct health benefit, treating sleep apnea can also potentially make you a more pleasant person to be around day in and day out.

For more information on the health benefits of treating or correcting sleep apnea, and for information on the variety of ways to treat the sleep disorder, contact the office of Kanehl Dental today.