Healthy Living

How Sleep Apnea Affects the Body

Endocrine System

There are a variety of ways sleep apnea can change how the endocrine system functions.  It can be linked with metabolic syndrome.  This syndrome is characterized by have many heart disease factors like high LDL cholesterol levels, high blood pressure or blood sugar levels, and being over-weight or obese.

Someone with sleep apnea may acquire an insulin resistance.  When the body is insulin resistant it is unable to use insulin properly.  If the cells are not able to use insulin how they should blood sugar levels can change rapidly.  Type 2 diabetes can be the result of blood sugar levels being too high for too long.