Can You Live a Long Life with Severe Sleep Apnea?
Are you suffering from sleep apnea? Do you often wonder if you can have a long life with this condition?
If yes, then this blog is for you.
Sleep apnea can be quite a dangerous disease if you leave it untreated. This condition can lead to constant sleep deprivation, lack of energy, and many more complicated health issues. With so many complications, sleep apnea definitely affects the lifespan of an affected individual.
To what extent does sleep apnea impact the lifespan, and can you do anything to reverse this change? Let’s find out.
What Can be the Impact of Sleep Apnea on Your Lifespan?
Did you know untreated sleep apnea actually leads to multiple life-threatening situations?
The dangers can be as follows:
- Heart Disease
Sleep apnea drops your blood sugar level, which leads to heart strain. This condition increases the chances of high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.
- Disruption of Sleep
If you have sleep apnea, you also experience constant disruptions in your sleep. These repetitive breaks make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep, and as a result, your immune system gets affected. Lack of sufficient sleep can also trigger your mental health, which can ultimately lead to depression and anxiety.
- Decline of Cognitive Abilities
When you face sleep disruption for a long time, you can also experience failure of cognitive abilities, such as difficulty in concentrating and memory issues. In more severe cases, it can lead to dementia as well.
- Risk of Diabetes
When you have untreated sleep apnea, you are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. With sleep apnea, it becomes more difficult to manage diabetes.
- High Mortality Rate
It has been seen that individuals who have sleep apnea, especially in untreated conditions, have a shorter lifespan compared to others.
All these point to one direction- that sleep apnea needs prompt treatment.
How to Extend Your Lifespan With Severe Sleep Apnea?
Is it possible to have a long life with sleep apnea?
Well, yes, it is possible, but only with the right treatment and guidance.
Here is what you need to do to live a longer life:
- CPAP Therapy
This is a very common yet one of the most successful treatments for sleep apnea. In this, you need to wear a mask over your nose and mouth during sleep to keep the airways open. This method helps in reducing the disruptions in sleep.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight and having sleep apnea is not a good combination. You should maintain a healthy weight so the symptoms of sleep apnea do not worsen.
- Exercise Regularly
Doing physical exercise on a regular basis improves sleep quality. Also, this helps in managing sleep apnea symptoms.
- Avoid Alcohol
Drinking alcohol before bedtime is a big no for patients with this disease. It can actually worsen the disease.
- Proper Sleep Position
Sleeping on your side is a better option as this will help in relieving the obstruction to the airways.
Living with sleep apnea can be challenging, but with the right guidance and treatment, this disease is manageable. Consult with a professional for better assistance and also start your treatment if you are delaying it.
If you have any more concerns, reach out to us for help. Schedule an appointment for early diagnosis.
