Long-Term Health Consequences of Sleep Apnea That is Not Treated

A patient with sleep apnea will stop breathing repeatedly while they are sleeping since the disease leads them to cease breathing. The duration of a breath hold can range anywhere from a few seconds to many minutes. Snoring is one of the most prevalent symptoms that people with sleep apnea experience. 

Because of the disturbances in their sleep, many people who live with sleep apnea report symptoms of weariness during the day. On the other hand, patients who do not treat their sleep apnea have an increased risk of developing additional long-term health problems, including diabetes and heart disease.

Possible Negative Effects on One’s Health Due to Sleep Apnea

The condition known as sleep apnea has been related to a wide variety of health problems. The following are some of the most frequent:

• Problems with the heart Sleep apnea, which causes your blood pressure to rise, can put your heart at risk for various conditions, including arrhythmia and heart failure. Carrie Fisher, an actress most known for her role in the Star Wars franchise, passed away in late 2016 after suffering a heart attack. Her death has been attributed to sleep apnea.
• disorders with the liver Patients who suffer from untreated sleep apnea have an increased risk of developing liver disorders such as scarring, abnormal levels of liver enzymes, and fatty liver disease.
• Problems with the digestive tract — People with sleep apnea are more prone to suffer from heartburn and other symptoms of GERD (commonly known as acid reflux), both of which can make it difficult to fall or stay asleep.
• In people with asthma, sleep apnea can worsen their condition and lead to other respiratory difficulties. After doing a physically demanding activity, such as exercising, you could find you are short of breath or exhausted.
• Insulin resistance can sometimes develop in people with sleep apnea, which can contribute to developing type 2 diabetes.
• Problems with one’s mind and memory can result from sleep apnea’s interruptions in one’s sleep, which can lead to these problems.
• Reduced sexual desire and libido Long-term sleep apnea that goes untreated can lead to erectile dysfunction and lower a person’s desire to engage in sexual activity.
• Weakened immune system – If you have sleep apnea, you may not be able to obtain a full night’s sleep regularly, which can contribute to a weakened immune system. This can make you more susceptible to other illnesses and ailments.
• Other potential long-term health consequences that could arise from failure to treat sleep apnea include being overweight, having metabolic syndrome, having higher cholesterol levels, having migraines, being irritable, having a stroke, or even passing away.