Why Sleep Apnea May Get Worse If You Get Sick

Sleep apnea is a real health problem, and it only stands to become more of an issue if you get sick on top of it. You’ll have an even harder time breathing at night, and your immune system will already be weakened by your sickness. The medication you take to treat the sickness can also have an effect. Here’s why sleep apnea may get worse if you get sick.‍

Worse Blockages‍

People who suffer from sleep apnea wake up repeatedly throughout the night because they can’t get enough air. This is often due to blockages in the airway, and these blockages also contribute to snoring. Snoring is the sound of soft tissue in the body reacting to the force of air trying to make its way to the lungs. If you’re sick, there’s even more going on in your airway that can prevent you from getting the oxygen you need.‍

Compromised Immune System‍

There is a link between sleep apnea and your overall health, which is shown by the correlation between this sleeping disorder and severe health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. When you add another type of sickness to the mix, your immune system must work overtime. This is bad news for your body, as it allows both sleep apnea and your overlapping sickness to do more damage.‍

Complications with Medications‍

Certain kinds of medications can cause sleep apnea complications as well, which makes it tricky to treat your condition without aggravating your sleep apnea symptoms. Muscle relaxers are especially troublesome because they relax the muscles in the throat, which leads to more snoring and obstructions of the airway.
Dealing with sleep apnea can be more difficult when you’re sick, but Dr. John R. Carson can help you. Dr. Carson is a dentist in Tucson who offers general and cosmetic dentistry services, and you can reach his offices by calling (520) 514-7203.