ASK A DOCTOR: WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF SLEEP APNEA GOES UNTREATED?

Expert opinion from Harinath Gundamaraju

MBBS, MD, ANAESTHESIA · 20 years of experience · India

People who have sleep apnea have periods of sleep that are interrupted by pauses in breathing. There is a definite link between sleep apnea and extra body fat, and if they lose weight, their sleep apnea improves. In addition, people with moderate to severe obesity develop a very rare form of sleep apnea called the obesity hypoventilation syndrome, in which breathing is poor while awake as a result of which a state of low oxygen and high carbon dioxide exists. Sleep apnea if untreated is dangerous because it leads to high blood pressure, heart attacks, abnormal heart rhythms all leading to heart failure and decreased life expectancy. In addition sleep apnea if untreated, can lead to decreased focus and concentration and reduced organizational skills, higher incidences of motor vehicle accidents.

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Expert opinion from Sharath Chandra

MBBS Spl in ENT, Head Neck Surgery from AIIM · 8 years of experience · India

Sleep apnea is a serious breathing disorder that occurs during sleep it leads to many complications as described earlier 1)Daytime fatigue. 2)High Blood pressure. 3)cardiac illness. 4)Diabetes( type 2). 5)Metabolic syndrome. 6) Partner-related issues.

Expert opinion from Alex T. Thomas

MD · 40 years of experience · USA

Untreated sleep apnea will predispose you to severe health problems such as stroke, high blood pressure, heart failure, heart attacks and irregular heart beats.

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Disclaimer: This is for information purpose only, and should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. These are opinions from an external panel of individual doctors, and not to be considered as opinion of Microsoft. Please seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns.

2024-05-08T05:40:00Z dg43tfdfdgfd