Understanding The Health Risks of Sleep Apnea
Whether you have been recently diagnosed with sleep apnea or suspect you have it, it is important to receive treatment as soon as possible. Not only will you be able to live a better quality of life, but you will greatly reduce your risk of certain serious health conditions. Keep reading to learn more about sleep apnea, the risks of sleep apnea, and where to receive effective sleep apnea treatment.
What is Sleep Apnea?
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, sleep apnea is a common condition in which your breathing stops and restarts many times while you sleep. This can prevent your body from getting enough oxygen.
There are two types of sleep apnea.
- Obstructive sleep apnea happens when your upper airway becomes blocked many times while you sleep, reducing or completely stopping airflow. This is the most common type of sleep apnea. Anything that could narrow your airway such as obesity, large tonsils, or changes in your hormone levels, can increase your risk for obstructive sleep apnea.
- Central sleep apnea happens when your brain does not send the signals needed to breathe. Health conditions that affect how your brain controls your airway and chest muscles can cause central sleep apnea.
Health Risks of Not Receiving Sleep Apnea Treatment
It is important to take snoring, breathing pauses, and other sleep apnea symptoms seriously and receive sleep apnea treatment as soon as possible. If not, there are many health risks that could occur. Some of these health risks include:
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular issues
- Stroke
- Brain damage
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Obesity
These health risks are serious. Two studies in the journal SLEEP show that people with sleep apnea have a much higher risk of death than people without sleep apnea. The risk is greater for people with more severe sleep apnea, and the risk of death increases when sleep apnea is left untreated.
Sleep Apnea Treatment with Dr. Krissy Connor, Advanced Sleep and TMJ Solutions
Dr. Krissy Connor received her BSN in 2001 at the Marquette University School of Nursing. She was an emergency room nurse at Aurora Sinai Medical Center for 3 years before attending the Marquette University School of Dentistry to receive her DDS degree in 2008. She completed a post-graduate residency in Advanced Education in General Dentistry at the Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee, WI. Her background as a nurse motivated her to seek an area of dentistry where she could use her wide variety of skills and clinical experience to serve her community better. She has been collaborating with physicians to treat patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea using oral appliance therapy since 2014.
Beyond her accomplishments, Dr. Connor is a mother to three beautiful daughters. Her husband, Dr. Michael Connor, is a Neurologist who shares her passion for healthcare.
Dr. Connor has been improving the lives of patients as the owner of Hypnos Inc. in Brookfield, WI. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and the American Sleep and Breathing Academy.
Learn more at advancedsleepandtmjsolutions.com!
