Plenty of people have heard about sleep apnea, but not everyone fully realizes just how dangerous it is – or how often it can go undiagnosed. If you want to get a good night’s rest and avoid the worst consequences of sleep-disordered breathing, it’s important to make sure that you’re well-informed when it comes to sleep apnea. To that end, here are 5 surprising sleep apnea facts that you might not have known.
1. The Majority of Sleep Apnea Cases Go Undiagnosed
While around 6 million Americans have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, many researchers believe that more than 30 million people in the United States could have the disorder. This is because a vast majority of sleep apnea cases (around 80% by the estimate of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine) go undiagnosed. As such, it’s important to make sure you’re familiar with the warning signs of sleep apnea – such as loud snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness – so that you know when you need to seek treatment.
2. Sleep Apnea Can Stop Your Breathing Hundreds of Times Each Night
The severity of sleep apnea can vary from person to person. In the worst-case scenario, the disorder may cause hundreds of breathing interruptions in a single night. Since each interruption pulls you out of the sleep cycle, the ultimate result will be that you get little to no quality slumber, which can have a devastating effect on your health in the long run.
3. Obesity Isn’t the Only Risk Factor for Sleep Apnea
It’s no secret that weight and sleep apnea are closely linked. In fact, it’s estimated that around 20% of people who are considered obese also experience sleep-disordered breathing. However, just because you aren’t overweight doesn’t mean you can’t develop sleep apnea. There are other possible contributing factors, such as the size of your neck. Consequently, no matter who you are, you need to keep an eye out for possible sleep apnea symptoms.
4. Untreated Sleep Apnea Can Increase Your Mortality Risk
Sleep apnea doesn’t just leave you feeling exhausted during the day. Research indicates that people who don’t have their sleep apnea properly treated have a three times greater risk of dying prematurely. This means that even if your sleep apnea only seems like a mild nuisance, you can’t afford to take it lightly.
5. There’s More Than One Way to Treat Sleep Apnea
You may already know that sleep apnea can be treated with a CPAP machine. However, if you’d rather not use such a device, there are other options to consider. In particular, you can wear an oral appliance provided by your dentist in order to maintain a clear airway at night. The sooner you have your sleep apnea diagnosed, the sooner you can find the treatment that’s right for you.
About the Author
Dr. David Salibian is a proud graduate of the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. At his practice, EyeSmile Dentistry and Optometry of Belmont, he offers comprehensive dental care, which includes personalized oral appliances for sleep apnea. If you’re interested in scheduling a consultation with Dr. Salibian, visit his website or call (617) 484-7869.