Health Conditions Which Can Be Surprisingly Linked to Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea are well documented. Most of us know that sleep apnea is more common in overweight people and presents itself through symptoms such as loud snoring and waking up from sleep due to breathing issues. The dentist, Dr. Brad Sievert and the team at Westlake Family Dentistry in Lake Oswego, Oregon, would also like you to know of some alternative signs indicating that you are suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.

Depression

It has been found that there is a significant overlap between sleeping problems and mood regulation. Depression is one issue that has been found to have a strong association with sleep apnea. People who are depressed can often feel down or sad, experience crying episodes, and may even lose interest in activities they previously enjoyed. There has been a significant link between sleep apnea and depression, showing that sleep apnea treatment could help. This is not always the case, and you should seek medical advice if you believe you are suffering from depression, as medication or therapy may be required.

Ability To Clearly Think

Because the quality of sleep you get when you suffer from sleep apnea can be greatly compromised, you may find that your ability to think clearly during the day is hampered. Sometimes called brain fog, the inability to have clear, concise thoughts throughout the day can be caused due to the fragmented sleep you get due to sleep apnea. 

Frequent bouts of disrupted breathing cause fragmented sleep. This can happen hundreds of times a night in those with severe cases.

High Blood Pressure

The risk of uncontrolled high blood pressure is enhanced when one suffers from sleep apnea. Also called hypertension, high blood pressure can lead to severe consequences, including heart attack or stroke. Constant, disrupted breathing leads to continued drops in blood oxygen levels, heart rate spikes, and high blood pressure, affecting the entire body.

If you are interested in learning more about the adverse effects of sleep apnea and how you can treat it, please reach out to Dr. Brad Sievert at Westlake Family Dentistry. To schedule an appointment, please call (503) 386-4164.