Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) can impact men, women and even children, however studies have demonstrated that men are afflicted at significantly higher rates. Individuals with OSA have increased risk of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, depression, and premature death.
What You Should Know:
- Men are two to three times more likely than women to suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Men are more likely to experience the “classic” symptoms of OSA such as excessively loud snoring, gasping in the middle of the night, and daily fatigue (while women may display other symptoms)
- Hypoxia (insufficient oxygen) is also known to cause a decreased testosterone level, low sperm count, and erectile dysfunction
- Other conditions related to OSA that affect men at higher rates include heart disease, which causes 1 in 4 male deaths per year in the United States alone
- Sleep Apnea can have a significant effect on mood and mental health. Lack of sleep in general takes its own psychological toll on individuals. Some studies suggest that more than 40 percent of people with OSA display depressive symptoms. Furthermore, isolation from your partner due to snoring causes many sleep apnea sufferers to sleep alone and become socially isolated, as well. These findings are especially concerning as depression and personal stress are underdiagnosed and frequently ignored in men.
There is Hope:
Early treatment and intervention can have a significant effect in alleviating and even completely treating these health issues. While the primary treatment for sleep apnea has always been a CPAP machine, which is a bulky oxygen mask worn at night, this is no longer your only option for treatment. A nightguard-type oral appliance has been proven extremely effective in treating sleep apnea, and can be made from simple dental impressions in our office.
Give us a call at 718-DR-SMILE to schedule a Sleep Apnea consultation with Dr. Elena Holtzman, a trained oral sleep apnea appliance provider.