If you’re anything like most people, you probably can’t remember the last time that you got a full night’s rest. You might have nodded off for a few minutes here and there throughout the day, but that doesn’t mean that your body was getting enough rest. Your poor sleep habits are probably keeping you from feeling your best and most rejuvenated version of yourself. If you have trouble sleeping, then it is highly likely that you suffer from some form of sleep apnea. This common disorder can impact up to 30 percent of men and women over the age of 40. However, many people tend to ignore its effects until something goes wrong. This article covers various aspects of the long-term health effects associated with obstructive sleep apnea. Keep reading to learn more about this condition and what impact it can have on your health if left untreated.
Muscle Weakness and Joint Pain
If you have problems falling asleep because you’re stressed out, then it’s likely that you’re also experiencing muscle pain. Sleep apnea occurs when your muscles temporarily stop contracting during sleep. However, your brain doesn’t register the fact that you’re falling asleep, and keeps you awake. This results in severe muscle spasms, which can lead to muscle weakness and joint pain. Sleep apnea can also cause joint pain because it weakens your joints. Sleep apnea is frequently linked to an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis, an autoimmune joint disease that causes pain and swelling in the joints.
Cognitive Impairment
Sleep apnea can also cause cognitive impairment. Sleep is crucial for the brain to repair and build new neural connections. Poor sleep can affect brain function, especially if you don’t get enough sleep or are sleep deprived. Sleep apnea can contribute to mood disorders, due to the fact that it impairs your brain function.
Risk of Developing Diabetes
Sleep apnea can worsen your risk of developing diabetes. People with sleep apnea are at an increased risk of developing diabetes because they are frequently sleep-deprived. Lack of sleep can lead to increased levels of glucose in your blood, which can damage your blood vessels and increase your risk of developing diabetes. Sleep apnea can also cause insulin resistance, which is when your body’s cells become less responsive to insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Insulin resistance is a common precursor to diabetes, so it’s important to address the underlying problem if you have sleep apnea.
Depression and Anxiety
Sleep apnea can also cause depression and anxiety. These mood disorders are very common, affecting over 20 percent of the population, and often occur alongside other mental health conditions. Like most mood disorders, both depression and anxiety can be caused by a complex network of factors including genetics, parenting, and social environment. Sleep apnea can cause both depression and anxiety because it impairs your brain function and increases your risk of developing both mood disorders. Specifically, sleep apnea causes you to feel frequently fatigued, which leads to feelings of depression.
Conclusion
If you suffer from sleep apnea, then you are at an increased risk of developing many serious health issues over the long term. While the immediate effects of sleep apnea are often noticeable and disruptive, they don’t necessarily have to continue to be a part of your life. Through proper treatment, you can get your sleep apnea under control and reclaim your health. Searching for treatment is a big step, but it could be the one that changes your life for the better.
