sleeping disorder

Sleep apnea, or the interruption of breathing as one sleeps, can have some dire health consequences. For starters, it can lead greater risks of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and stroke. A health consequence that's just as dire - if not even more severe - is chronic sleep deprivation. Those with the sleep apnea disorder are likely to wake up in the morning not feeling completely restored or refreshed. If it continues untreated, this sleep deprivation can greatly impact performance and safety.

The bottom line is that it's not OK to not sleep well, regardless of whether you experience sleep apnea or not. Chronic sleep deprivation, however, from the sleep disorder can have very detrimental consequences. Here's a look at some of them:

Decrease in performance/alertness: It's estimated that a reduction in sleep by as little as 1.5 hours in one night can result in a 32 percent drop in daytime alertness. This is arguably the most significant while driving, as it's estimated that drowsiness is comparable to driving drunk in terms of reaction times. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that up to 100,000 accidents and 1,550 auto deaths are due to sleepiness behind the wheel each year. Further data suggests that those who are sleep deprived are up to 5 times more likely to be involved in a car accident than someone who experiences normal sleep at night.

Reduced cognitive thinking: A reduction in sleep impairs attention, alertness, concentration and problem solving, among others. What's more is that sleep cycles help you build and retain information accrued throughout the day, so if you don't get enough sleep, you're likely to be more forgetful.

Reduced sex drive: Sleep deprivation can also put a strain on relationships. Sleep deprived men and women both often experience decreased libidos and sex drive. Specifically, men who experience sleep deprivation from sleep apnea were found to have much lower testosterone levels than those who don't.

Accelerated aging: Sleep deprivation can lead to unsightly physical features too, namely unhealthy skin, more wrinkle lines and circles underneath the eyes. That's because when you don't sleep, the body releases more cortisone, which in excess amounts can deteriorate skin collagen. Sleep deprivation also leads to a lack of human growth hormone released. This hormone helps encourage muscle mass and strong bones.

Weight gain: A lack of sleep has also been directly linked to an increase in appetite - and thereby possible weight gain. It's estimated that about 30 percent of all people who sleep less than 6 hours per night are more likely to gain weight and become obese than those who sleep more.

It's recommended that you receive a minimum of 8 hours of sleep per night. However, for those that experience sleep apnea, the regular interruptions in night time breathing that are characterized by the disorder can make it difficult to do so, thereby leading to chronic sleep deprivation if the issue isn't corrected. Hence, it's important to seek treatment for sleep apnea immediately after you recognize that there may be a problem.

For more information on sleep apnea, its health effects and its treatment methods, contact Kanehl Dental today.