Many people in this country are affected by sleep apnea. Approximately 30 million Americans are suffering from it at one severity or another. That being said, only a small percentage of them have received a diagnosis. Many people don’t know that sleep apnea can significantly impact life expectancy. Read on to learn more about sleep apnea, how it affects lifespan, and which treatment options are available.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder that causes breathing to repetitively stop during sleep. Most people with sleep apnea have a variety of symptoms, including loud snoring and daytime fatigue. The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This is when the cessations of breathing are caused by an obstruction of the airway. This reduces the quantity of sleep and can lead to serious consequences if not addressed.
How Does Sleep Apnea Affect Life Expectancy?
You may think that sleep apnea only affects sleep, but it can lead to various serious consequences when left untreated. This includes issues that can be life-threatening, like diabetes, high blood pressure, liver complications, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, obesity, and more. These conditions can make you very sick and even shorten your lifespan. According to a 2020 data review, people with sleep apnea are 74% more likely to die from any cause. Sleep apnea increases the risk of heart failure by 140% and coronary heart disease by 30%. Fortunately, by seeking treatment, you can keep these conditions at bay.
How Can Sleep Apnea Be Treated?
CPAP therapy has been the standard treatment for sleep apnea for many years. However, it isn’t the best option for everyone. Many people find these machines uncomfortable and difficult to wear throughout the night. Fortunately, oral appliances are an alternative sleep apnea treatment that can help those with mild to moderate sleep apnea. An oral appliance is a mouthpiece that is customized by your dentist. These appliances are worn at night during sleep, and they work by keeping your jaw in the proper position and keeping your airway open, allowing you to breathe easily as you sleep. Some patients find success with a combination of CPAP therapy and oral appliance therapy, while others see improvement from oral appliance therapy alone.
The longer you leave sleep apnea untreated, the more likely that serious complications can develop. By getting the treatment you need, you can prolong your life!
About the Author
Dr. David J. Drummond is an experienced dentist who has been working in the field for more than four decades. He earned his dental doctorate from Northwestern University Dental School in Chicago before entering the United States Army Dental Corps. He left active duty in 1988 to pursue private practice in Lawton. If you think you may have sleep apnea, he’d be happy to help. To learn more about sleep apnea or to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (580) 227-8789.