Are you among the millions of people struggling with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)? The unfortunate truth is that untreated OSA has significant comorbidity with many severe medical conditions, including heart disease. That’s why it’s so important to understand how your sleep pattern and lifestyle lead to a host of cardiac problems.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has numerous symptoms, such as drowsiness during the day, loud snoring, and sudden awakenings accompanied by gasping or choking. A comprehensive evaluation by a health care provider or sleep specialist is necessary to diagnose OSA. 

It is important to seek appropriate treatment to reduce the risk of developing associated co-morbidities and improve the overall quality of life. In this post, we dig a little deeper into OSA, its effect on the heart, and co-morbidity.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious sleep disorder that affects your breathing while you sleep. Imagine trying to inhale through a straw; that's what it's like for people with OSA. Their airways become partially or completely blocked, causing them to snore, choke, or gasp for air throughout the night. But OSA doesn't stop there; it can also negatively impact your heart health. When you stop breathing, even for short periods, your oxygen levels drop, which can lead to spikes in blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat. Over time, these recurring events can increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions. If you suspect that you or someone you love may be suffering from OSA, come into our office in St. Louis and speak to Dr. Lillenberg about your symptoms and discuss your sleep apnea treatment options.

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most prevalent form of sleep apnea. Its signs and symptoms include:

• Extreme drowsiness during the day.
• Loud snoring
• Observed instances of breathing stopping while sleeping. 
• Waking up suddenly, accompanied by gasping or choking
• Having a sore throat or dry mouth when you wake up
• Daily headache
• Concentration issues during the day 
• Mood swings like depression or anger
• High blood pressure
• Lowered libido

If you suspect that you have OSA, it's important to see our healthcare provider, Dr. Lilienberg. While we do not conduct sleep studies, we work with a network of sleep specialists that can help you. They’ll conduct their sleep studies to determine if you have OSA and to what degree.

A thorough physical examination will typically be conducted to check for any physical abnormalities that could be causing sleep apnea symptoms. This data is collected to determine the frequency and severity of breathing disruptions during sleep. 

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) causes repeated breathing interruptions during sleep, which in turn can lead to a reduction of oxygen to the body's vital organs. Over time, this lack of oxygen can lead to some serious medical problems, including heart disease. Studies have shown that untreated severe OSA increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases like hypertension, stroke, heart failure, and arrhythmias.

While there are many factors that can trigger heart disease, OSA is considered one of the primary culprits. Studies have found that individuals with OSA are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, myocardial infarction (heart attack), heart failure, and sudden death. It is believed that the connection between OSA and heart disease can be attributed to various mechanisms, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and activation of the sympathetic nervous system.

Additionally, many people with untreated OSA have underlying conditions that can further increase their heart disease risk, such as diabetes and obesity. 

Untreated severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has significant co-morbidity, which refers to the presence of additional medical conditions that worsen the effects of OSA. OSA-related oxygen desaturation and arousals trigger inflammatory responses in the body, increasing the likelihood of inflammation-related diseases like diabetes, depression, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Moreover, untreated sleep apnea has been linked to cognitive impairment, affecting attention, memory, and executive functioning. The impairment of these cognitive functions may lead to reduced quality of life, accidents, and increased healthcare utilization. 

People with untreated severe OSA are more prone to traffic and workplace accidents, putting both their own and others' lives in danger. Co-morbidity with OSA can lead to significant consequences, affecting not only the physical but also the psychological well-being of the individual. Therefore, seeking treatment for improving the OSA is crucial for reducing the risk of developing associated co-morbidities and improving the overall quality of life. Come into our office in St. Louis and discuss your sleep apnea treatment options.

OSA can be effectively managed with proper treatment. Your treatment options may include the use of an oral appliance. It is essential for patients to seek appropriate treatment for OSA because it can improve their quality of life, reduce the risk of developing serious health problems, and prevent accidents and injuries associated with untreated OSA. We encourage patients who suspect they might have OSA to come in and book an appointment with us for a comprehensive evaluation and personalized treatment plan. Don't wait until it's too late - contact us today and let us help you achieve the best sleep health possible.