What happens when sleep apnea goes untreated?

Sleep apnea is a common condition that veterans face, often due to the physical and mental demands of military service. This condition can impact quality of life right from the onset – and over time, if it goes untreated, it can result in more severe physical and mental health impacts. Getting a diagnosis can feel intimidating, but making a treatment plan and sticking to it can save you from worse symptoms down the road.

Here is more information about sleep apnea and what happens if it goes untreated:

Sleep apnea, defined

Sleep apnea occurs when someone starts and stops breathing repeatedly while sleeping. There are two different types of this condition:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): This is the more common form of sleep apnea, occurring when the upper airway repeatedly gets blocked during sleep.

• Central sleep apnea (CSA): This type of sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send the necessary signals for breathing.

The most common symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Snoring

• Choking or gasping awake

• Headaches on waking up

• Fatigue during the day

• Mood swings

• Struggling to focus

• Dry mouth

What happens when sleep apnea goes untreated?

When sleep apnea goes untreated, several different body systems are impacted. Both physical and mental health can be diminished as a result of chronic, untreated sleep apnea.

Physical health impacts

• Weight gain. The less quality sleep you get, the more likely you are to gain weight. A lack of sleep can increase hunger and also make you less likely to exercise due to fatigue.

• Heart disease, stroke, and hypertension (high blood pressure). When not enough oxygen is entering the body, the heart has to work harder and the brain receives less blood flow. This over time leads to a much higher risk of cardiovascular complications.

• Type 2 Diabetes. When breathing pauses during sleep, it leads to higher levels of carbon dioxide in the blood – which can dramatically worsen diabetes symptoms.

• Weakened immune system. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to a weakened immune system, leaving you susceptible to more frequent and severe illness, infections and viruses. We need quality sleep to restore and build up the body's defenses.

Mental health impacts

• PTSD. There is a strong medical condition between PTSD and sleep apnea. Sleep disturbances can heighten PTSD symptoms, especially when it has gone unchecked for a long period. In turn, PTSD can also make sleep apnea worse.

• Mood disorders. Some common symptoms of sleep apnea are mood swings and irritability. These can become more severe and frequent when the condition goes untreated over a long period of time.

• Cognitive decline. Sleep apnea untreated leads to chronic sleep deprivation – which greatly impairs the brain's ability to focus, process information, and retain memory.

Get strong medical documentation to prove your sleep apnea to the VA

The most successful claims happen because of expertly crafted medical documentation. Nexus Letters, DBQs, chart reviews, and more can make a world of a difference in your VA disability benefits claim, and we can help you get what you need to be prepared. Begin the process by signing up for a chart review, or view our other services here. Preparing for a VA disability benefits claim doesn't have to be stressful when you have an experienced team on your side.