{"id":3610,"date":"2025-09-18T17:16:48","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T17:16:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beckdentalcare.com\/blog\/?p=3610"},"modified":"2025-10-16T17:19:45","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T17:19:45","slug":"what-happens-if-you-dont-treat-sleep-apnea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beckdentalcare.com\/blog\/what-happens-if-you-dont-treat-sleep-apnea\/","title":{"rendered":"What Happens if You Don\u2019t Treat Sleep Apnea?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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You might think that neglecting to treat your sleep apnea<\/a> isn\u2019t that big of a deal. After all, is it really worth the hassle just to get a few extra z\u2019s? But the truth is, leaving a serious disorder like OSA untreated can have serious consequences for your health. Here are a few hidden ways, if not addressed, this condition can wreak havoc on your body and mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What is Sleep Apnea?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sleep apnea is a disorder that affects an estimated 936 million adults worldwide. It occurs when the airway becomes obstructed during sleep (obstructive sleep apnea), or the brain does not receive proper signals to breathe during sleep (central sleep apnea).  Patients with sleep apnea often wake repeatedly throughout the night as they struggle to breathe, often snoring loudly, and may gasp or choke as they try to take in air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are the Consequences of Not Treating Sleep Apnea?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While it probably seems like struggling to stay asleep and breathe are bad enough problems, if left untreated, sleep apnea can also worsen or increase your risk of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n