Sleep apnoea causes many complications that can have a huge impact on your health and wellbeing, and even cause life-threatening issues.

It’s important that obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and other forms of sleep disorders are not left unchecked. 

Complications of sleep apnoea

Sleep apnoea not only impacts your ability to function due to a lack of deep sleep, but it also causes major health issues, including life-threatening conditions.

Risks of sleep apnoea include:

  • Cardiovascular issues: There is an increased risk of suffering from a heart attack, stroke and irregular heartbeats.
  • Metabolism issues:
  • High blood pressure: Sudden drops in blood oxygen levels causes a high blood pressure, which strains the cardiovascular system.
  • Liver issues: Sleep apnoea can increase the body’s insulin resistance, which can lead to high blood sugar levels, causing diabetes type 2.
  • Type 2 diabetes: Sleep apnoea increases blood sugar levels, which causes diabetes.
  • Obesity:
  • Shortened lifespan:
  • Surgery complications: Sleep apnoea exposes patients to post-surgery risks and complications.
  • Overweight and obesity: Patients who are overweight or obese are at a greater risk due to the strain on the neck, tongue and upper belly. This is a cause of sleep apnoea, and also a cause for more severe sleep apnoea.
  • Hypersomnia: Sleep apnoea causes sufferers to be exhausted and have a short attention span. This impacts work and learning efficiency.

These are not the only health complications, as sleep apnoea can cause many other issues to your health and wellbeing as well.

The severity of the sleep apnoea also indicates what health risks the patient is at risk too. You can examine the severity of OSA by checking out the apnoea-hypopnea index (AHI).

Apnoea-hypopnea index

  • Normal: AHI<5
  • Mild sleep apnoea: 5≤AHI<15
  • Moderate sleep apnoea: 15≤AHI<30
  • Severe sleep apnoea: AHI≥30

This outlines the severity of the sleep apnoea in a patient. 

For example, a patient suffering from seven apnoea events per hour is suffering from a mild sleep apnoea condition. While a patient suffering from more than 30 apnoea events per hour is suffering from a severe condition of sleep apnoea.

Patients who suffer from moderate and severe sleep apnoea are at greater risk to health issues than those suffering from mild sleep apnoea.

Sleep apnoea treatment from Dental Sleep Medicine, Cairns

The experienced team at Dental Sleep Medicine is passionate about helping patients have better sleep.

Our team knows without having deep sleep, we are unable to focus at work or school. Sleep apnoea causes serious issues in our daily lives.

If you are suffering from the symptoms of sleep apnoea or your child is having trouble sleeping, it’s important to contact us by clicking here.