Instances of overnight loud snoring make for a bad night's sleep for both you and your roommate. But it becomes the telltale signs of a much bigger issue if you have symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Chronic sleep apnea increases your risk of other severe health issues, including high blood pressure, depression, diabetes, and much more, and can even turn you into a road safety hazard.

However, when you start taking steps to get healthier and cure this severe condition with sleep apnea treatment , you can significantly reduce the risks or even heal from most of these issues. Suburban TMJ and Sleep Center specializes in diagnosing and treating cases of OSA and TMD. Our highly innovative and personalized care makes us stand out among Illinois' most reputed sleep apnea treatment centers.

We have compiled for you a list of eleven serious health hazards you may be at risk of if you have obstructive sleep apnea. Let's dive right in.

Acid Reflux

Although there's not enough scientific backing that OSA can cause severe heartburn or acid reflux, most patients in the sleep apnea treatment centers have personally experienced this problem. According to the specialists working there, managing the acid reflux improves OSA symptoms for some patients while treating the apnea cures the heartburn for others.

Asthma

Another condition that demands more extensive research are the effects of sleep apnea on asthma patients. However, asthmatic patients undergoing sleep apnea treatment attest to experiencing significantly fewer asthma attacks.

Driving Accidents

The chances of getting involved in traffic mishaps shoot up explosively for sleep apnea patients. Statistics suggest that people suffering from OSA are nearly five times more likely to drive accidents than normal sleepers. Since they do not receive proper sleep and are almost always groggy, they risk passing out at the wheel is much higher.

Daytime Drowsiness

Feeling tired, exhausted, and heavy-eyed throughout the day is a common symptom associated with OSA. Not getting a good night's sleep can take a heavy toll on every aspect of your life and personality. Getting proper sleep apnea treatment can improve your daytime dreaminess and help you feel more energetic and refreshed through the day.

Depression

Persisting poor quality sleep can make you more susceptible to feeling depressed. In turn, symptoms of depression make it even harder to experience a restful shut-eye. Therefore, you should think about scheduling an appointment at one of the sleep apnea treatment centers in your area if you have sleep apnea and have been feeling low for a while.

Heart Disease

OSA disrupts your body's natural process of taking in oxygen, making it much harder for your brain to regulate the blood flow in your body. Due to the recurring oxygen deficiency, patients who are not receiving sleep apnea treatment are more prone to cardiothoracic issues like heart attacks, strokes, and even atrial fibrillation, a fast and fluttering heartbeat.

High Blood Pressure

OSA can easily amplify the symptoms of high blood pressure. Since you can't rest properly through the night and your body is constantly stressed, your hormone system goes into hyperdrive and triggers elevated blood pressure levels. Additionally, the recurring oxygen deficiency in your blood also contributes to the condition. However, the patients recovering in most sleep apnea treatment centers in Illinois have experienced significantly improved blood pressure levels and much lower stress.

Memory Impairment

Most people of age have experienced a few memory slips or reasoning difficulties here and there. Medical practitioners call this phenomenon mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Thankfully, the symptoms of MCI are not as severe as full-blown dementia, and not everyone with mild cognitive impairment degrades further to reach dementia levels of mental inability. Medical research in the field suggests that symptoms of memory loss due to MCI may be evident sooner in patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. However, undergoing sleep apnea treatment can effectively deter your cognitive difficulties from taking up roots.

Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a collection of fitness-defining conditions that have been commonly linked with most cases of obstructive sleep apnea. Having at least three of the following medical conditions in your body may be a clear indicator of metabolic syndrome.

• Lower levels of good cholesterol
• Higher levels of blood sugar
• Higher blood pressure levels
• Higher levels of triglycerides
• Extra fat deposition around the waist

Chronic metabolic syndrome can make you more susceptible to instances of heart illness, diabetes, or even stroke. Hence, it becomes essential to make healthy lifestyle changes and schedule an appointment at one of your nearest sleep apnea treatment centers.

Obesity

Abnormally high body weight increases your chances of experiencing sleep apnea, making it much harder to lose a few extra pounds. Overweight people have fat deposits in layers around the neck that obstruct the airway and disrupt normal breathing during sleep. On the other hand, obstructive sleep apnea can also make your body secrete comparatively higher amounts of the hormone ghrelin, which is responsible for making you crave sweets and junk food. Since you're exhausted all the time, you may not efficiently process digested food into energy, leading to further weight gain. However, getting sleep apnea treatment can help you feel significantly better in a short time, allowing you to have more energy reserves for workouts and other physical activities.

Type 2 Diabetes

OSA is a common ailment among people with type 2 diabetes, with more than eighty percent of them showing sleep apnea symptoms. Additionally, obesity also contributes to increasing a patient's risk for both diabetes and sleep apnea. Although scientific research has not established a proper cause-and-effect relation between the two conditions, disruptions in your regular sleeping pattern can mess with your body's insulin production and utilization, ultimately leading to diabetes.