Everyone knows that if you want to stay at the pinnacle of health, you need to get at least 7 hours of sleep every night. But sometimes, you might find yourself waking up feeling exhausted every morning regardless of how much rest you think you got. This could mean that you have sleep apnea in Lawton, a disorder that can have a dramatic impact on your health – and in the midst of the current pandemic, it could even increase your vulnerability to COVID-19. Keep reading to learn exactly what sleep apnea does to your body and what it means for your body’s ability to fight off disease.
How Sleep Apnea Affects the Immune System
Sleep apnea happens when your breathing is frequently interrupted while you’re asleep; this is usually because of an obstruction of the airway, but occasionally it might be due to your brain failing to send the proper signals to the appropriate muscles. When breathing stops, the oxygen levels in your bloodstream decrease, and you’re forced to wake up for air. If this continues for a very long time, it could lead to various health issues. In particular, your body may no longer be able to make the T-cells necessary to help the immune system function. As a result, your risk of getting sick will significantly increase.
Other Consequences of Sleep Apnea
It’s not just illness that you have to worry about if you’re suffering from sleep apnea. You could eventually suffer life-threatening heart attacks or a stroke due to increased blood pressure. Also, your body will generally become more resistant to insulin, leading to diabetes. But of course, the most obvious side effect of a lack of quality sleep is the drowsiness you’ll constantly feel even during the day; you might even fall asleep while driving.
Does Sleep Apnea Increase Your Risk for COVID-19?
Researchers might still be studying COVID-19, but there’s already plenty of evidence to show that patients with chronic health conditions – such as sleep apnea – tend to be at greater risk, especially when said conditions directly affect the immune system. It’s also worth noting that sleep apnea is much more likely to affect people over the age of 65 – in other words, the age group that tends to be more severely affected by COVID-19. In other words, the older you are, the more important it is to keep an eye out for possible symptoms of poor-quality sleep.
Call a sleep dentist immediately if you have any reason to think you might have sleep apnea (such as being told that you snore loudly almost every night). They can help you find a way to treat your condition while you’re in quarantine so that you can get a good night’s sleep while still protecting yourself from the coronavirus.
About the Author
Dr. David J. Drummond has served in the United States Army Dental Corps. Once he left active duty in 1988, he opened a private practice in Lawton. He has helped many patients overcome their sleep apnea using oral appliance therapy. If you think a sleep disorder might be affecting your overall health, you can get in touch with Dr. Drummond at Stop Snoring Lawton through his website or by calling (580) 355-0344.