What Happens if Sleep Apnea Is Left Untreated?

If you’ve been experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea, such as loud snoring, daytime fatigue, or morning headaches, it’s important to address them promptly. 

Ignoring sleep apnea can have serious consequences for your overall health and well-being. One significant concern is the development of a sleep disorder, such as insomnia or sleepwalking.

What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea happens when your throat gets blocked during sleep. This blockage can occur when your throat muscles or tongue relax too much or if you have extra weight or big tonsils. 

When your airway is blocked, oxygen can’t reach your brain properly. As a result, your body releases stress hormones, which can cause health problems like heart issues and blood sugar changes.

What Will Happen if Sleep Apnea Is Left Untreated?

If you ignore sleep apnea, it could cause serious problems. Even if the symptoms don’t seem too bad at first, they can get worse over time and lead to big issues like:

• Trouble learning, being hyper, or developmental problems in kids
• Falling asleep while driving
• Gaining weight
• Having a stroke
• Feeling sad
• High blood pressure
• Getting diabetes
• Making ADHD worse
• Trouble getting or keeping it up
• Forgetting things
• Heart problems or a heart attack

As you can see, these problems are really serious. Don’t wait to get help if you think you have sleep apnea.

What Are the Signs of Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea symptoms usually show up while you’re asleep, so you might not notice them. Sometimes, a sleeping partner might notice them first.

Here are some common signs:

• Waking up with a headache or dry mouth
• Feeling tired during the day
• Feeling down or worried
• Snoring
• Moments when you stop breathing
• Trouble sleeping
• Suddenly gasping for air during sleep
• Having a hard time focusing
• Feeling restless in bed
• Waking up briefly during the night, which you might not remember

Just snoring doesn’t mean you have sleep apnea, but many people who stop breathing also snore.

Your Path to Better Sleep Is in New York

Now that you understand the potential risks of leaving sleep apnea untreated don’t wait until symptoms worsen or complications arise.

Ready to take the first step towards better sleep? Contact us at 212-246-8700 to schedule a consultation with one of our sleep specialists.