How Obstructive Sleep Apnea Increases Your Risk for Severe COVID-19
If you have issues with chronic/loud snoring or have been told by your partner you’ve stopped breathing at night, PLEASE LISTEN to them. You may have a sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea. The time to seek treatment for your sleep disorder is NOW. While more research is needed, international researchers have discovered an alarming correlation between obstructive sleep apnea as a preexisting condition and an increased risk of severe COVID-19 cases should you contract the virus.
Is Sleep Apnea Making You a High Risk for Severe COVID-19?
It’s estimated that 50 to 70 million people in the U.S. suffer from one or more sleep disorders, and most remain undiagnosed. One of the most common causes of sleep deprivation is obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a potentially serious condition in which your breathing repeatedly starts and stops while sleeping, and can contribute to a number of severe health problems, including hospitalization or even death, should you contract COVID-19.
Symptoms of Possible Sleep Apnea
- Chronic loud snoring
- Fatigue/Lack of energy
- Daytime sleepiness even after a full night’s rest
- Morning headaches
- Depression
Sleep Deprivation Risks
Sleep deprivation lowers productivity, negatively impacts mood, slows reaction times, and more. Left untreated, long-term sleep deprivation greatly increases your risk for developing chronic disease and serious health conditions such as:
- Obesity
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Depression
- Severe cases of COVID-19
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Risk Factors
Taking risks with sleep apnea is no joke. Good sleep is essential to good health, and there is an abundance of evidence that further supports that sleep deprivation is a common risk factor for many of the top chronic health conditions in the United States. If you have any of the following conditions, it’s possible you have underlying sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea contributing to the advancement of health conditions like:
- Asthma
- Type 2 Diabetes
- High Blood Pressure
- Heart Disease
- COPD
- Endocrine/Metabolic Disorders
- Your Age
- Obesity
If you suspect you might have obstructive sleep apnea, don’t wait. Consult a sleep specialist today. Treatment and management of sleep apnea along with other sleep disorders can help improve your health and possibly save your life.
Schedule a Virtual Sleep Consult
Learn More About Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Attend a FREE Virtual Sleep Health Event
