Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder in which there is a sudden relaxation of the airway due to which breathing stops for a few seconds. Some cases can cause compilations, while others can have some grave impacts on the overall health. It is imperative to know about the effects of sleep apnea on the body to get timely medical assistance.

1. Cardiovascular Issues
One of the most common observations is that people with sleep apnea that is left untreated for a long duration experience vulnerabilities to heart troubles. This can be due to a sudden elevation in the blood pressure. People who already suffer from hypertension might also be at risk of heart failure in such cases. The heart rhythm can be affected in the long run.

2. Blood Oxygen Depletion
The pause in breathing might only be momentary. But this means that the cells in the body are deprived of the essential levels of oxygen they need during the night. This can sometimes lead to a sudden dip in blood oxygen levels.

3. Tiredness
Even after sleeping for a long duration people with sleep apnea wake up feeling tired. When breathing stops, the body wakes up due to reflex reaction, and this interruption in breathing might lead to difficulty in the body to relax and enter a state of deep sleep again. This is why exhaustion is one of the most common effects of sleep apnea on the body.

4. Respiratory Issues
Some healthy people might suddenly acquire minor to severe respiratory illnesses due to sleep apnea. People who already suffer from asthma or even chronic diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease might suffer from uncomfortable breathing issues while sleeping if they develop sleep apnea.

5. Immunity Problems
To maintain the health of the body’s immune system, one needs to sleep as per the right cycle. Continuous interruption in sleep due to sleep apnea can weaken the immunity and cause infections.

6. Blood Sugar and Cholesterol Anomalies
One other very common thing that people with sleep apnea might notice is the sudden fluctuation in their blood sugar levels or even in the blood cholesterol levels. If the person happens to be obese, such elevated cholesterol and sugar levels can pose a major threat to their general health. This can be another factor that puts the person’s cardiovascular health at risk. It also increases the risks associated with diabetes.

To avoid the dangers of untreated sleep apnea, one must know the effects of sleep apnea on the body. This improves sleep quality and prevents cardiovascular problems that occur due to complications that follow.