Sleep Disorders: Sleep Apnea, Stroke Prevention and Risks

For patients suffering from sleep apnea, stroke is a possibility. This article will talk about the link between sleep apnea and strokes. The dentists at Bay Dental Studio near Potts Point share their opinion about this topic, you can click the link to know more about this dental practice.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea occurs when a person stops breathing for more than 10 seconds during sleep. This can happen at unpredictable intervals while the person is asleep. A person can be diagnosed with sleep apnea if these episodes happen at least five times every night.

How does a stroke happen?

A stroke occurs when the brain is deprived of blood flow. The danger of stroke is that there are no telltale signs to look out for before the stroke happens. The signs will usually manifest while the stroke is already happening. Since it is almost impossible to predict a stroke, the best way to combat a stroke is to help the person seek medical attention as soon as possible.

The link between sleep apnea, stroke and its risks

The risk of stroke increases in a person that suffers from sleep apnea because of the lack of oxygen being supplied to the body because of the sudden stop of breathing in the person. This sudden deprivation of oxygen can cause a spike in blood pressure levels. The lack of oxygen in a person’s body as well as the high blood pressure levels caused by the low oxygen in the person; blood can both be a cause for future stroke.

It gets more dangerous for a person who does not know that they suffer from sleep apnea.

Treatment for sleep apnea

Although sleep apnea is a different and separate condition from stroke, getting treatment for sleep apnea can be a step toward stroke prevention. Remember that untreated sleep apnea can be a cause for stroke. The person will better be able to prevent a future episode of stroke if they can get treatment for their sleep apnea first.

Sleep mouthguards. If the person uses a sleep mouthguard, it will help put the muscles in the right position to promote proper breathing during the night.

CPAP machine. A CPAP machine, or a Continuous Positive Airway pressure machine, is designed to introduce air into a person’s airway as they sleep to prevent the lack of air that is caused by sleep apnea.

What you can do

It is difficult to notice if you are suffering from sleep apnea on your own. This condition will usually be noticed by a person who sleeps next to you. It is important to keep in mind that not all snorers suffer from sleep apnea.

If you wake up multiple times during the night, short of breath, there is a chance that you suffer from sleep apnea. At this point, it is a good idea to see a doctor about your symptoms. They will be able to tell you for sure if you have sleep apnea or not. They will also give you treatment for you to avoid the potential risks of stroke, which are hypertension and atrial fibrillation, which can be caused by the lack of oxygen in your system.