In other cases, it could take a few weeks as some people need more time to adjust to their therapy. Health Improvements After Starting CPAP Therapyįor some people, the improvements associated with continuous positive airway pressure therapy begin almost immediately, depending on how often and how long they sleep with their machine. Other forms of treatment may be necessary for individuals who have severe CSA. This treatment tends to be more successful in mild to moderate cases. But thanks to the airflow provided by the CPAP machine, the lungs are able to fill with air, similar to blowing up a balloon. Addressing Central Sleep Apnea: CSA occurs due to a loss of control over the muscles involved in inhalation.This prevents these types of blockages from occurring in the first place. However, when pressurized air flows through those areas, it acts as a brace against those soft tissues. Preventing Obstructive Sleep Apnea: OSA arises when the muscles that make up the tongue, soft palate, uvula, tonsils, etc., relax to the point that they block the back of the throat or upper airway.This constant airflow seeks to address the two main causes of sleep apnea- soft tissue airway obstructions due to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and the inability to stimulate inhalation caused by Central Sleep Apnea (CSA). It is estimated that in 80% of cases, the total number of hourly breathing episodes is cut by at least half. As the primary treatment option, this therapy has a high success rate. There is good news, however! These numbers significantly decrease upon starting Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy.įor most people with sleep apnea, the first line of treatment is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which delivers a constant stream of pressurized air to the lungs through a face or nose mask. Untreated sleep apnea has been linked to a multitude of chronic conditions, such as: These individuals are also three times more likely to die prematurely. For example, studies show that individuals with Obstructive Sleep Apnea who do not seek treatment are 86% more likely to have a stroke. While the short-term effects of sleep apnea can be life-altering, they can be even more serious if left untreated and may even lead to an untimely death. Long-Term Health Risks Associated with Untreated Sleep Apnea In fact, in 2008, a team of scientists found evidence that individuals with Obstructive Sleep Apnea experience a form of brain damage typically associated with traumatic brain injuries.įor individuals with sleep apnea, these issues often cause significant psychological and neurological impacts, such as: Then there are the physical changes to the brain each time your oxygen falls. Experts believe that being awake for just 24 hours leaves you cognitively impaired to the same degree as someone with a blood alcohol level of 0.10. Healthy sleep is a critical factor in our mental health and cognitive abilities. Mental and Emotional Effects of Sleep Apnea Some of the many physical effects of sleep apnea include: And even a temporary reduction in oxygen levels can cause inflammation throughout the body, which is linked to the development of chronic illness and aging. Studies suggest that regular sleep disturbances cause increased stress on the body and may even heighten your sensitivity to pain. ![]() However, the repeated sleep disruptions associated with sleep apnea can cause this rest and recovery process to come to a halt. When you get a good night’s rest, it allows your body to repair itself from the damage sustained during the day. ![]() Sleep apnea disrupts your breathing patterns during sleep, leading to frequent awakenings and oxygen deprivation. ![]() Untreated sleep apnea can have significant impacts on both your physical and mental health. This is the reason why so many people with sleep apnea struggle with fatigue, even after a whole night of sleep. Your brain responds to this through arousal, which causes you to briefly wake up so you can breathe normally again. Sleep apnea is characterized by a constant cycle of normal breathing patterns that are temporarily interrupted by pauses in respiration. ![]() Impacts of Sleep Apnea Before Starting CPAP Therapy Finally, we’ll address common questions, concerns, and misconceptions about this topic. We will discuss how CPAP improves your health and wellness and share one of our favorite success stories. We’ll go over how untreated sleep apnea impacts your body, plus the reason why CPAP is so effective. In this article, we want to discuss how your physical and mental health will change before and after CPAP therapy.
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