Reasons to Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Following the completion of his undergraduate studies at Brigham Young University, Dr. Dan Jensen trekked to the University of Nebraska, where he received his dental degree in 1996. After he received his degree, he worked with his dad (Dr. Bruce Jensen) for five years until he moved to Alaska, where he practiced dentistry for six years. Utah family life soon called his name again and Dr. Jensen moved back to Utah where he opened up his own practice in Kaysville, UT.
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Sleep apnea is more common than you might think, and roughly 20 million Americans have trouble sleeping due to obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in your throat relax during sleep. Your airway closes, and you wake up repeatedly throughout the night to restart the flow of air. Sleep apnea leads to trouble sleeping, daytime drowsiness, and negative health outcomes. Here are 5 reasons to treat obstructive sleep apnea for better health.
1. You’ll Sleep Better
The number one reason to treat sleep apnea is because you’ll sleep better during the night! Rather than waking up hundreds of times due to an obstructed airway, you’ll enjoy deep, restful sleep, and wake up feeling refreshed. Living with untreated sleep apnea will cause restlessness during sleep, poor sleep cycles with inadequate REM sleep, and worse quality of sleep. On the other hand, treating sleep apnea will help you sleep peacefully through the night, reduce the number of times you wake up during the night, and help you feel refreshed in the morning.
2. Your Partner Will Sleep Better
Do you share your bed with a partner? You’re not the only one effected by your obstructive sleep apnea, and all that tossing and turning during the night will make it hard for your partner to get a good night’s sleep. Your restless nights make it difficult for your partner to get the rest they need, and your snoring, another common sign of sleep apnea, can make it harder for them to fall asleep and stay asleep. Your partner may also wake up in the night worried about you. When your loud snoring suddenly stops, and you stop breathing for a few moments, it can scare your partner. They may lose sleep due to anxiety, or lay awake worrying you’ll stop breathing all together.
3. You’ll Be Alert During the Day
Has your sleep apnea led to daytime drowsiness? The restless sleep and repeated awakenings mean you’re not getting enough rest, and you have to contend with increased daytime fatigue. You’ll struggle to concentrate on tasks, have a hard time focusing on what’s in front of you, and often fail to get things done. The lack of deep sleep will also make it harder for your brain to consolidate long-term memories, and you may struggle with memory loss or difficulty remembering important things. Treating sleep apnea with a CPAP machine will help you get the rest you need to be alert and focused during the day, and bring your best self to your work and your family.
4. Enhanced Job Performance
If you’re fighting off sleep every moment of the day, you’re not doing your best work. Obstructive sleep apnea can interfere with your job performance and affect your career in profound ways. Sleep deprivation from untreated sleep apnea leads to lapses in concentration and attention, difficulty processing information, and trouble remembering instructions. You’ll also experience micro sleeps throughout the day that will affect your work. Treating sleep apnea will enhance your job performance, and you’ll be able to put your best foot forward and be proud of your accomplishments.
5. Lower Your Risk of Accidents
Untreated sleep apnea has been linked to accidents on the job and during leisure activities. When your body is extremely tired, you’ll feel drowsy throughout the day, and struggle to stay alert. Drowsiness on the road or on the job site can cause major accidents, and can lead to serious injury or even death. Make safety a top priority, and treat your sleep apnea to stay alert during the day. Don’t risk your life or the lives of your loved ones, but make sure you get the sleep you need to stay awake during the day and keep everyone safe.
There are a lot of dangers associated with untreated sleep apnea, so do the right thing for both your waking and sleeping moments, and find out how you can treat sleep apnea. The most effective treatment option is a continuous positive air pressure CPAP machine that will keep air moving through your lungs during sleep, and prevent the airway from collapsing. You’ll sleep deeply throughout the night, and finally enjoy your daytime hours with all the energy and alertness you need to be your best self.