Complications Associated With Sleep Apnea

Problems With The Liver

While heart issues are among the most common complications of sleep apnea, this condition can also cause problems with the liver. If patients undergo a liver function test while suffering from sleep apnea, they're more likely to produce abnormal results. Their liver might also develop scarring or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. This disease usually doesn't produce symptoms and has no known cause. However, some of the health complications of sleep apnea like diabetes and high cholesterol are considered to be risk factors for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. If a patient's liver cells are comprised of too much fat, it's possible they will eventually develop such health problems as ascites, slurred speech, liver cancer, and end-stage liver failure.