Many people are familiar with Carrie Fisher, or at least her alter ego, Princess Leia from Star Wars, but few know that sleep apnea may have been a cause of her death. While Carrie Fisher’s official death remains “undetermined,” there is a chance that sleep apnea played a key role in the cause. It is hard to tell if Carrie Fisher knew she was affected by sleep apnea, but there is a high chance she did not. In fact, many people who suffer from the disease don’t know they are affected because the symptoms only show while they are asleep. So the question really is:

“Can you die from sleep apnea?”

And the answer is, yes.

How is Sleep Apnea Deadly?

Sleep apnea blocks the airway from receiving the proper amount of oxygen while asleep. Often, soft tissues of the mouth and throat fall into the airway blocking the flow of oxygen. This affects vital organs like the brain and heart. While you likely won’t die in your sleep, the untreated effects of sleep apnea will begin to negatively affect your life. Sleep apnea can disrupt your circadian rhythm and create imbalance within your body and brain. When this goes on untreated for many years, the chance of death greatly rises.

How Do You Treat Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea can be treated in a variety of ways, from oral appliances to surgery. But at Balance Epigenetic Orthodontics, Dr. David Buck also offers treatment through epigenetics and Face Forward Dentistry. This solution helps by physically targeting the root cause of sleep apnea, often through controlled growth of the airway and jaw. Epigenetics and Face Forward Dentistry can be used for both children and adults. So if you notice your child snoring, consider this treatment option to help them throughout their entire life. This way, you won’t have to worry about bulky and uncomfortable oral appliances throughout your life.

Don’t Become Another Statistic

Schedule a consultation for Face Forward Dentistry with Dr. Buck today by calling 425-361-0826.