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Will Smoking Worsen My Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

handwithcigarette Obstructive sleep apnea causes breathing problems when you’re asleep, resulting in frequent sleep interruptions. Over time, this can lead to an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, and other serious health issues. If you’re a smoker, does this behavior make sleep apnea even worse? Learn more about the effects of smoking on this sleep disorder.

Sleep Apnea Risk Factors

Smoking is among the risk factors for sleep apnea. If you haven’t been diagnosed with this disorder and you smoke, keep in mind that your chance of getting it is higher. Other risk factors that are associated with an increased chance of having sleep apnea include being overweight, having a family history of sleep apnea, having high blood pressure and having a narrowed airway.

Smoking & Sleep Apnea

When you smoke, you run the risk of making your condition worse. Smoking irritates your upper lungs and airway, which can result in an increase in breathing difficulties while you sleep. This can lead to even more frequent interruptions while you sleep, which can increase your risk of complications and severe apnea symptoms.

Complications of Sleep Apnea

When you leave sleep apnea untreated or when you keep smoking during treatment, you can end up having serious health issues. Obstructive sleep apnea comes with a higher risk of several complications, including cardiovascular problems, memory problems, mood disorders, and type 2 diabetes. Sleep apnea can also cause problems in other areas of your life, such as relationship problems with a spouse or partner due to snoring and work issues due to daytime fatigue.

Sleep Apnea Treatments

Treatments for sleep apnea involve lifestyle changes and other forms of care if needed. One of the most important things you can do when you have sleep apnea is to give up smoking. Since smoking can worsen your condition, you should talk to your doctor about effective ways to quit this habit. Other changes your doctor will likely recommend include losing weight, getting regular exercise, limiting alcohol and sleeping on your side instead of your back.

Other forms of treatment are available if you quit smoking, make other lifestyle changes and still have trouble with this disorder. Oral appliance therapy (OAT) is a proven alternative CPAP treatment can help you get your condition under control so that you can enjoy a good night’s sleep every night. This helps lower your risk of developing serious complications and other health issues due to obstructive sleep apnea.

If you have obstructive sleep apnea, contact eos dental sleep to learn more about our services and set up an appointment.