Sleep apnea is a relatively common condition that causes a person to stop breathing for brief moments while they are sleeping, causing them to awaken frequently throughout the night. This condition can be highly dangerous and can put patients at a greater risk of heart attack or stroke. This is because it causes their blood oxygen levels to drop dangerously low several times throughout the night, which can increase the risk of damage to their blood vessels and heart. Continue reading to learn more about how sleep apnea in Portland, Oregon, can affect your health and what you should do about it if you notice any of the symptoms associated with this condition.

1. It is Not a Normal Part of Aging

Many people mistakenly believe that sleep apnea in Portland, Oregon, is a normal part of aging, but this is not the case. In fact, it is more common in people who are obese or suffer from other health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes. It is common in people who have issues with blocked airways as well. What often happens is that the soft tissues in the back of your throat relax while you sleep, which causes the airway to become too narrow to allow air to flow through. As a result, your brain will sense this lack of oxygen and wake up in order to signal your body to breathe again. However, this process causes you to repeatedly interrupt your sleep throughout the night, leaving you feeling exhausted and groggy in the morning.

2. It Can Increase Your Risk of Heart Disease

When you experience one of these episodes where your oxygen level drops during sleep, it can cause your blood pressure to rise significantly. This can cause plaque buildup in your arteries, which can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. These conditions can result in permanent damage as well as death, so it is very important to address this issue as soon as possible. Talk to your dentist about treatment options that can help. If you are suffering from snoring loudly and consistently, it may indicate that you have sleep apnea Portland, Oregon; consult our physician to set up a sleep study to confirm the diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.

3. It Can Lead to Diabetes

Overweight or obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes due to the increased production of insulin by the pancreas.

4. It May Cause Dementia

Those with untreated sleep apnea are five times as likely to develop dementia as those without the condition. Studies have linked memory loss with a reduction in oxygen flow to the brain during sleep, which obstructs the normal functioning of the brain.

5. It Can Make You Sleep-Deprived

People who are overweight and have obstructive sleep apnea experience increased feelings of depression due to the negative impact sleep apnea has on quality of life. These feelings of sadness are often due to sleep deprivation and the toll that being overweight places on the body.

What Are the Treatment Options For Sleep Apnea Portland, Oregon?

There are a variety of options available to help treat your sleep apnea symptoms. Many people with sleep apnea use CPAP masks, which deliver a steady stream of air to keep airways open during sleep. While the constant airflow can be uncomfortable at first, many patients are able to acclimate to it within a few weeks of treatment. There are also oral appliances that patients can use instead of or in addition to a CPAP mask. These mouthpieces help to keep the airways open while the patient sleeps by altering the position of the jaw and tongue so that breathing is much easier. Some patients do experience mild side effects such as dry mouth when using the oral appliance, though this can usually be treated with over-the-counter medications before bed.

To learn more about sleep apnea Portland, OR, call us at (971) 339-0816 or visit the Sleep Health Partners office at 9370 SW Greenburg Rd, Suite 422 Rd Suite 422, Portland 97223.