It’s never a good idea to let a health problem go untreated. Not only will it make the specific problem itself worse, it can lead to new health issues or exacerbate pre-existing ones. That’s equally true of a condition like sleep apnea as it is of other kinds of problems. When this common but under-diagnosed condition isn’t addressed, the risk factors for other conditions may increase. In other cases, an existing condition may make sleep apnea worse.
Some of these health risks include:

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Acid reflux
• Weight gain
• Asthma

The connection between every one of these isn’t entirely clear, but there is a connection. For instance, patients who are overweight are more likely to experience sleep apnea, because of how extra weight can affect airways. As such, losing weight can help a patient treat sleep apnea and enjoy better rest at night. Similarly, the connection between sleep apnea and acid reflux isn’t clear, but treating reflux does seem to improve a patient’s sleep apnea symptoms.
Of course, there are simpler ways that sleep apnea can manifest in your life. Maybe you always feel sleepy at work, or you have trouble concentrating. A lack of sleep can also make it difficult to remember things, and you may find yourself having accidents at home, in the workplace, or behind the wheel.
Are you struggling with sleep apnea? Call Dr. Gary Radz’s Denver office today to find out how treatment is possible. We offer sleep apnea therapy to patients from Denver, Englewood, Aurora, Lakewood, Greenwood Village, Centennial, and beyond.