Does your partner complain about your loud snoring? Do you find yourself nodding off when you’re sitting in front of your computer? If so, you just might have sleep apnea in Las Vegas, a dangerous disorder that causes you to temporarily stop breathing while you sleep. Leaving it untreated can result in other health conditions. A recent study out of Sweden has even linked sleep apnea in women to cancer. Read on to learn more.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition where the throat muscles relax and block the airway while sleeping. This causes you to wake up choking or gasping, sometimes dozens of times a night! You may not wake up dully during these episodes, so you probably won’t remember them. However, they prevent you from reaching the full level of deep sleep that is needed for adequate rest.
Symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Loud snoring
- Constant daytime exhaustion
- Waking up in the night gasping
- Morning headaches
- Waking up with a dry or sore throat
- Increased irritability or moodiness
- Depression
If you think you might have sleep apnea, it’s crucial to get a diagnosis and treatment at a sleep center in Las Vegas as soon as possible. Untreated sleep apnea has been associated with conditions like:
- Heart disease
- Hypertension
- Type II diabetes
What Did the Study Say?
Researchers in Sweden looked at data from the European Sleep Apnea Database, or ESADA. They analyzed data from about 20,000 patients registered in ESADA. Out of all these patients, approximately two percent had cancer. The researcher statistically analyzed the data and found a significant link between sleep apnea and the risk of cancer in women.
The data also asserted that patients who smoke and drank alcohol, were older, and overweight or obese were more at risk for developing both conditions. The association between sleep apnea and cancer was up to three times stronger for women than for men.
What Does This Mean for You?
It means that if you think you have sleep apnea, you need to get treated as soon as possible to prevent cancer and other conditions. Certain lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, can also help reduce your symptoms and risk.
About the Author
Dr. Pamela West is a graduate of the University of Southern California School of Dentistry who specialized in sleep apnea treatment. She is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. If you think you might have sleep apnea, be sure to contact her here or at (702) 602-2000.