Is Sleep Apnea Putting You at Risk for COVID-19?

Have you woken up gasping for air in the middle of the night recently? Does your partner keep complaining that you snore? Are you feeling exhausted every day without understanding why? All of these symptoms could mean that you’re living with sleep apnea in Weatherford; in other words, you’re not getting the quality rest you need because your breathing is being repeatedly interrupted every night. You may not even realize you have sleep apnea, but the effect it has on your body cannot be denied. If it goes untreated long enough, it could put you at risk for many potentially severe health issues – and that includes illnesses such as COVID-19! Read on to learn more about the dangers of disordered sleep.

How Can Sleep Apnea Increase Your Risk for COVID-19?

When your breathing is being frequently interrupted, there will be less oxygen in your bloodstream. This can lead to many health issues down the line, and this includes a weakened immune system. Normally, your body produces proteins called cytokines, some of which are important for fighting infections. If your sleep is being disrupted by sleep apnea, you’ll have fewer of these protective cytokines as well as a reduced number of disease-fighting antibodies. As a result, your body will be much less capable of fighting off COVID-19 and other viruses.

Scientists are still researching the novel coronavirus, but they do already know that it tends to affect patients with breathing-related conditions (including sleep apnea) more severely. Also, if you are over the age of 65, you’re much more likely to suffer from sleep apnea, and that could make COVID-19 an even greater danger for you.

How Else Does Sleep Apnea Affect the Body?

Unfortunately, a weakened immune system is far from the only effect of untreated sleep apnea in Weatherford that you’ll have to worry about. The lack of oxygen will put stress on your cardiovascular system, and sooner or later you could suffer a potentially deadly heart attack or stroke. Furthermore, the chronic exhaustion that comes with being forced to wake up every few minutes for air could make it extremely hard for you to focus during the day. Not only could this affect your performance at work, but it could even cause you to fall asleep at dangerous times, such as while driving. The longer you ignore your sleep apnea, the more severe these symptoms will become.

What Should You Do About Sleep Apnea?

If you are suffering from sleep apnea, then there’s only one thing to do: have it treated as soon as possible! You can contact a sleep dentist about any concerning symptoms you might have noticed; they can advise you on having a sleep test performed before recommending a suitable treatment (such as oral appliance therapy) that will keep your airway clear throughout the night so that you can catch up on some much needed shut-eye. Don’t delay seeking treatment; with COVID-19 still a threat to those with weakened immune systems, it’s more important than ever to be vigilant when it comes to your health!

About the Author

Dr. Deborah A. Romack has been practicing in Weatherford ever since graduating with honors from the Baylor College of Dentistry in 1998. In 2005, she began attending numerous education courses about obstructive sleep apnea and snoring, and she uses the knowledge she has acquired to help her patients overcome their sleep disorders. If you are concerned about the effect sleep apnea could be having on your body, you can schedule an appointment at her practice, Weatherford Dental Sleep Medicine, by visiting her website or calling (817) 594-3806.