Sleep apnea causes restless nights of sleep and exhaustion during the day, but did you know it can also affect other areas of your health? It can. Not only does sleep apnea negatively affect your sleep, but also it can play a role in Acid Reflux and Impotence. Let’s take a look at two health conditions that you may not know are affected by sleep apnea.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) (Acid Reflux). Many people who suffer from sleep apnea or nasal problems are unaware that they also suffer from reflux. And, many times, you might be experiencing the symptoms, but not knowing what it is. If you suffer from GERD, you might be more likely to experience reflux symptoms during periods of wakefulness at night.

By waking up frequently, your lower esophageal sphincter relaxes and when you are awakened by an apnea episode, the event could trigger your reflux. Through treatment of sleep apnea, you can further decrease the incidence of GERD just as treatment of GERD can decrease your symptoms of sleep apnea.

Impotence. Waking up exhausted might seem like enough of a problem, but you may have to watch out for something else—impotence (erectile dysfunction). You may be aware that sleep apnea causes fatigue, high blood pressure and weight gain, but research continues to conclude that sleep apnea does also cause erectile dysfunction in men and a loss of libido in women.

Sleep and sexual activity are both an important part of your life, and sleep apnea that goes untreated negatively affects both of these aspects in your life. This means it’s time to get treated for sleep apnea as soon as possible!

Taking the next step in treating your sleep apnea in Scottsdale can help you maintain a healthy, active lifestyle without complications. Contact Dr. Sara at AZ Sleep & TMJ Solutions for more information.