Approximately 25 million Americans are diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, only about 60% of them use CPAP machines to manage their condition. A lot of OSA patients look for alternative ways to deal with their condition because of the inconvenience of using the CPAP machine. This is something that needs to be addressed because OSA is a serious and life-threatening condition that must be treated properly. The benefits of CPAP cannot be overlooked, not just in addressing your condition, but also in improving your overall well-being.
12 Health Benefits of CPAP
These are the surprising benefits of CPAP that will give you more reason to choose this therapy as part of your OSA treatment.
Improved Heart Health
When you are diagnosed with sleep apnea and other related disorders, it can cause a lot of stress to your heart. The condition can lower the amount of oxygen in your blood, which makes your breathing labored. Adrenaline is also released into your bloodstream as a result. When there is a high amount of adrenaline in your bloodstream, it eventually leads to an increase in blood pressure, as well as making you more prone to heart diseases.
The use of CPAP machines can alleviate these effects. It restores the normal function of your cardiovascular system so that your heart is not overworked.
Better Diabetes Control
People with type 2 diabetes are also more prone to having sleep apnea. Using CPAP therapy as part of your treatment can help control diabetes. The benefits of CPAP are evident in its ability to reduce insulin resistance allowing stabilization of your blood’s glucose levels.
Boost Energy Levels
Chronic daytime fatigue is one of the symptoms of sleep apnea. This comes as a result of disruption in your sleeping pattern since patients with sleep apnea find it difficult to breathe. As a result, they tend to wake up several times during the night, which can lower the quality of their sleep.
When the circadian rhythm of your body is disrupted, your mental and physical health does not get the adequate restorative rest that it needs. You wake up feeling tired and restless. But with the help of a CPAP machine, you can get better quality sleep at night, so you feel increased energy levels. This result is evident even after just a couple of weeks of therapy.
Prevent Hearing Loss
Another benefit of CPAP to your health is by reducing your risk for hearing loss by up to 90%, according to the Sound Sleep Institute. There are several studies that show the link between sleep apnea and hearing loss. The use of CPAP machines can reduce the possibility of hearing impairment in patients.
Weight Loss
Weight gain or obesity is closely linked to sleep apnea. Therefore, patients diagnosed with this condition are advised to lose weight in order to manage the condition. But when you have lower sleep quality, you do not have the energy to exercise during the day. You are also more likely to have sugar cravings and have an unhealthy lifestyle.
With CPAP therapy, you can address all of these, so it becomes easier to adopt a healthy lifestyle that allows weight loss or healthy weight management.
Improve Mental Acuity
One of the ways that CPAP can benefit your well-being is by increasing your mental acuity. This is vital to improve your focus, concentration, and memory. Sleep is needed by your brain in order to function properly. Without the use of a CPAP machine, you continue to sacrifice the quality of your sleep.
If you want to improve brain and mental function, you need to strictly adhere to your CPAP therapy.
Boost Metabolism
An increase in metabolism is beneficial to your health and well-being because it gives you adequate energy. Also, when your metabolism is low, it causes you to gain weight easily. Metabolism is also important for your ability to engage in physical activity. The more physical activity you perform, the better your overall health.
Reduce Headaches
A common complaint among sleep apnea patients is that they wake up with headaches. This is a result of the lack of oxygen in the bloodstream. When the body is deprived of oxygen, the blood vessels dilate to boost circulation, which causes throbbing headaches.
If you want to fight chronic headaches and migraines, you need to use a CPAP machine to improve this condition.
Improve Immunity
A strong immune system is another one of the many benefits of CPAP therapy. Sleep and adequate rest are needed by the human body to repair and restore function. If you do not get adequate sleep, it can weaken your immune system, making you more prone to catching colds and viruses.
If your doctor recommends you to use a CPAP machine, make sure to do so in order to keep sickness at bay.
Lower Risk of Chronic Diseases
The quality of your sleep and disruptions in your breathing pattern can have a long-term impact on your key body functions. It not only affects your heart, but also your lungs and endocrine system. Chronic fatigue, on the other hand, can cause hormonal changes in the body that can cause a wide range of chronic diseases.
The use of CPAP machines can restore the function of your cardiovascular system and lungs, eliminating damage to the other organs over time.
Fight Depression
Depression is one of the least known effects of sleep apnea. Those who are diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea tend to develop a major depressive disorder. This is an underlying condition that must not be overlooked.
By addressing the symptoms of sleep apnea through CPAP therapy, you can also ease the symptoms of depression. However, this process can take a while, so you need to be persistent with your therapy to see results.
Better Sleep Quality
This is definitely one of the biggest benefits of CPAP therapy in the fight against obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep is very important to maintain overall health and well-being. It’s not just about the number of hours of sleep per night, but also the quality of your sleep that matters in terms of improving overall health and well-being.
