Sleep issues have a devastating impact on both the mind and body. This is especially true with sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA. Scientists and doctors continue to do research on the shocking effects of OSA and similar sleep disorders. Each study provides us with more information, and none of it is good.

Mark Levy DDS is one dentist fighting against sleep issues like OSA. He’s doing everything he can to help patients treat and overcome the horrific conditions associated with this disorder. We want our patients to understand the serious consequences of avoiding treatment.

A large percentage of individuals suffering from OSA fall into the mild to moderate category. Many of the individuals with mild OSA don’t feel as though treatment is urgent or necessary. However, we’re learning that even mild OSA can have a significant impact on your health.

Mild OSA Sleep Issues

Even mild OSA increases your risk for high blood pressure. In fact, the risk of developing hypertension is four times greater when suffering from untreated mild OSA. Even more shocking, the results are showing this holds true for younger adults. OSA patients in their twenties, thirties, and forties are all at a greater risk for developing high blood pressure.

A study conducted my Penn State University College of Medicine in Hershey, PA and led by Alexandros N. Vgontzas, MD cover the details of the greater risk. The Sleep Research Society and American Academy of Sleep Medicine jointly sponsored the research. According to MedPage Today:

Among 20-year-olds with normal blood pressure at baseline, mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was associated with a 90% increased risk for developing hypertension during 10 years of follow up, and among 30-year-olds, mild OSA was associated with an 80% increase in hypertension risk, Vgontzas said.

This means we should focus our efforts on OSA awareness campaigns for younger individuals who may be suffering from the disorder. By focusing on finding, diagnosing, and treating these individuals we can possibly prevent a sizable number of them from developing high blood pressure as well as other OSA associated conditions. Vgontzas continues:

“Our sub analysis also showed a high correlation between mild to moderate sleep apnea in younger people and obesity and metabolic syndrome,” Vgontzas said, adding that informing younger patients with these risk factors about their risk for hypertension and recommending lifestyle interventions such as weight loss and exercise could be an effective strategy for reducing hypertension risk in this population.

Detailing the Sleep Issues Sleep Study

This particular study used a random sampling of over 1,700 adults who participated in an overnight sleep study. These participants provided a medical history baseline as part of the Penn State Adult Cohort study. The details are as follows:

Follow-up included 797 study participants followed for 10 years who did not have hypertension when they entered the study. Mild and moderate OSA were defined as Apnea Hypertension Index scores of 5-14.9 and 15-29.9, respectively. The presence of hypertension at baseline and follow-up was identified by a self-report of receiving treatment for hypertension and/or history of a hypertension diagnosis.

The overall incidence of hypertension was 25.2% at follow-up. After adjusting for sex, race, baseline age, BMI, hormone replacement therapy, smoking, alcohol drinking, MAP, apnea therapy and length of follow-up, mild and moderate OAS were significantly associated with an increased risk for developing hypertension (mild OSA, OR 4.35, 95% CI 2.25-8.39’ moderate OSA, OR 3.80, 95% CI 1.41-10.30).

There’s no denying that even mild OSA poses a significant health risk. Early detection and treatment are the key to reducing the risk of serious health concerns later in life. Without treatment, the risk of developing high blood pressure and other serious conditions compounds greatly.

Treating Mild OSA

Many young adults suffer from mild OSA. However, those diagnosed often fall into a gray area on the treatment spectrum. While they do have a version of OSA, they may not require the intervention of a continuous positive airway pressure machine. Instead, these individuals should be pointed towards other treatment options that have a higher compliance rate and are more suitable for mild OSA. There are also a number of lifestyle changes that can help improve OSA symptoms.

Even with mild OSA, the disorder can cause the patient to stop breathing for ten or more seconds, multiple times per hour. As you can imagine, this has a serious impact on every system in our body. OSA is especially taxing on our heart and brain. Individuals on the lower end of this spectrum don’t necessarily need extensive CPAP therapy. However, it’s important to realize that they still need some form of treatment in addition to lifestyle changes.

Lifestyle changes take time. These changes, such as weight loss and other changes in routine don’t usually occur overnight. Until the patient has made enough changes to eliminate their OSA, they should receive additional treatment to manage the disorder. The best solution for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea is the use of an oral appliance. The appliance fits easily into the mouth, similar to a mouth guard. It provides the soft tissues in the back of the mouth with added support to help maintain a clear airway. Often, this simple treatment can significantly reduce or even eliminate apnea episodes.

Reach out to a dentist trained in treating OSA to find out if you’re a candidate for this treatment. In addition to using an oral appliance, individuals with OSA should also focus on weight control, eating well, exercising, and managing stress.

Call Mark Levy DDS today at (614) 777-7350 for more information on treating sleep issues.