Obstructive sleep apnea is more common than you might think and most people who suffer from sleep apnea do not know they have it. This is dangerous because sleep apnea has been linked to lots of other health problems, many of them serious. If you have received a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea treating your condition is very important for your health. 

• Heart disease is a serious problem for those with sleep apnea. People with obstructive sleep apnea are more likely to suffer heart attacks and die during the night. Stroke is also possible.
• Type 2 diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea go hand in hand. Up to 80% of diabetics suffer from sleep apnea as well. Although scientific studies have not nailed down a specific link, sleep deprivation can cause insulin resistance which is a precursor to diabetes.
• High blood pressure is common among sleep apnea patients. The good news is that treating sleep apnea may reduce blood pressure in some patients.
• Weight gain and sleep apnea are a pair. Being overweight increases your risk of obstructive sleep apnea and having sleep apnea affects the endocrine system of the body causing it to release hormones that make your crave sugars and carbohydrates.
• Adult asthma patients report fewer attacks when they have treated their apnea.
• GERD, also known as acid reflux. While there is no proof of a link many patients with sleep apnea also complain about GERD. Treating the GERD can sometimes help apnea symptoms.
• Patients with sleep apnea experience extreme daytime sleepiness which puts them at a greater risk for accidents. People with sleep apnea are up to 5 times more likely to crash than healthy drivers.

Find out how you can treat your sleep apnea comfortably and effectively without a CPAP by contacting Columbus sleep apnea dentist Dr. Mark Levy today at 614-476-6696.