The impacts of this condition can be far-reaching for your physical well-being.    

Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, is a common disorder that causes you to stop breathing and wake up repeatedly throughout the night.¹  

 This stop-start breathing pattern prevents you from getting the normal, restorative sleep your body needs. Not only does it cause daytime fatigue, but it can also lead to serious health problems that can get worse over time.¹   

 When left untreated, OSA can severely impact your respiratory, endocrine, digestive, cardiovascular, reproductive, and nervous systems.2-6 Here we take a closer look at the health implications OSA may have on your life.   
 

Respiratory system 
Because this condition interrupts your airflow and drastically reduces your intake of oxygen, it can exacerbate the symptoms of respiratory diseases such as asthma.² 
 

Endocrine system 
The endocrine system is a complex messenger network that uses hormones to control your metabolism, reproduction, growth, and energy levels. One of the most common endocrine disorders is diabetes, which can be caused by OSA.³ 
 

Circulatory and cardiovascular systems 
OSA indirectly increases the strain on your heart. That’s because it has been associated with high blood pressure and obesity, both of which can cause heart disease. Research has shown people with sleep apnea are more likely to experience heart failure.⁴   
 

Reproductive system 
OSA may have a negative effect on your libido. Unfortunately, it can also affect your partner’s sexual drive as they might be struggling to get a good night’s rest sleeping next to you. Research suggests that in men it could contribute to erectile dysfunction and even increase the risk of infertility.^5,6 

For further ways OSA may impact on the quality of your health, go to How does sleep apnea affect the heart? and How does sleep apnea affect blood pressure?