Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Why is Obstructive Sleep Apnea Dangerous?
Untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a serious and potentially life-threatening breathing disorder. Studies have shown that 50-60% of patients with impaired cardiac function suffer from sleep disorders, while a majority of these sufferers remain undiagnosed or untreated.
The airway is composed of the upper and lower jaws, tongue, tonsils, soft palate and side walls of the throat. The sleep-wake cycle happening during sleep apnea creates an imbalance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the bloodstream. The lack of adequate oxygen circulation in Sleep Apnea suffering individuals causes an accumulation of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in organ tissues and in the long-run, permanent damage to organs.
Medical problems resulting from Sleep Apnea can include an increased risk of heart problems, including congestive heart failure and a heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure, type II diabetes, constant fatigue, personality changes, headaches, a decrease in sexual ability, and an increased risk of motor vehicle and 'at-work' accidents.