Studies on OSA affects on body b4 one is diagnosed?

So I figure I've had OSA for a good 15-20 years before being diagnosed. I've read plenty on what the dangerous affects of OSA are if it goes undiagnosed but wondering if there are studies on what damage is done if someone has gone for decades with it before getting treatment????

Have I/we potentially already shaved off a few years of my life?? Is my circulatory system now potentially weakened now and more susceptible to major issues down the line because it's gone on for so long untreated????? I am not freaking out over this but I am definitely wondering about it.

As usual, there is give and take within the scientific community.

Some scientists and researchers think it has little impact:

Body Fat Distribution, Serum Leptin, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Men With Obstructive Sleep Apnea
http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/conte ... /829.short

Health effects of obstructive sleep apnoea and the effectiveness of continuous positive airways pressure: a systematic review of the research evidence
http://www.bmj.com/content/314/7084/851.short


Others think it has a huge detrimental impact:

Association of Sleep-Disordered Breathing, Sleep Apnea, and Hypertension in a Large Community-Based Study
http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/283/14/1829.short

Long-term cardiovascular outcomes in men with obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea with or without treatment with continuous positive airway pressure: an observational study
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ar ... 3605711417

The Epidemiology of Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea
http://pats.atsjournals.org/cgi/reprint/5/2/136


In all instances that I've read, the general consensus is that if you catch it fairly early and address the concurrent problems (weight, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc), then you can maintain a healthy lifestyle and routine. The point is to use the increased energy to address the problems that put you at greater risk of heart attack and/or stroke.

Hope that helps.

I feel the same way and wonder the same thing. It's like smoking, you can do damage to your lungs such as emphysema. Of course, quitting helps but you cannot undo that damage, once it's done, its done and won't get better.

I've wondered myself about SA and if the damage is similar, to the point that it is irreversible like emphysema, or will one's body begin to actually heal once on CPAP.

Thanks for posting that info JBF.

Wow, thanks JBF for the response with included links. Very very much appreciated! I am definitely going to get my sleep doc's input on this when I see him next month.

Like I noted, in most cases, you can undo the damage, if it had not progressed too far.

For example, if you just were a bit overweight and some high blood pressure, you might be able to correct it by dropping the weight (much easier said than done, isn't it?) and taking some medication. This will help drop you cardiovascular risk.

But if you were diagnosed after it had done too much damage, you could only reasonably expect to improve your situation. For example, if you already had a stroke then it would help you avoid further events. But the "damage" is done. Though doctors are finding that even our brains are far more "plastic" than they ever imagined. People can and do improve from serious health issues. It just takes a LOT more work and a willingness to accept that you may never get back to the "old" you. But you will get as close as possible.

And it's great you did get your OSA addressed. No point in making life even more "interesting". Just living with xPAP therapy is great compared to the alternatives!