It’s worse than snoring. You have nights of disturbed sleep that leave you tired in the morning.
Every morning.
The American Sleep Apnea Association estimates that 80% of the cases of sleep apnea are undiagnosed--and you may be one of them.
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax so much that the airway falls closed. The soft palate and tongue may collapse, which prevents proper breathing.
This can lead to drowsiness from disturbed sleep and the loud, annoying snoring that often signals the condition.
The Diagnosis Problem
The American Sleep Apnea Association also estimates that 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, but 80% of cases of moderate or severe sleep apnea go undiagnosed.
Why is this? Well, it may be for many different reasons, but let’s take a look at a few possibilities.
Image: picture of a snorer > (greater than sign) a buzzsaw
Everybody Snores
The prevailing belief is that everyone snores, and there’s nothing to be done about it except endure.
People are always complaining about someone’s loud snoring.
Maybe your dad snored, and it drove your mom insane. Or your friend’s partner has to sleep in a different room to avoid the noise.
Snoring is a classic gag in sitcoms and movies for a reason.
With snoring so common, it doesn’t seem like a big deal. People may ignore the signs that they snore or use earplugs to ignore their partner’s snores.
But letting it go could actually be letting a case of sleep apnea go undiagnosed.
Snoring Isn’t Embarrassing
Talking about snoring can seem like an embarrassing conversation.
Despite the prevalence of snoring, admitting to snores makes some people feel embarrassed. The perception is that it will negatively affect relationships.
Others may be embarrassed to talk to their doctor about their snoring. They may think that it isn’t a big deal or it’s too common to bring up. They may think that they should just handle it on their own.
Wrong.
Common Side Effects May Include
Perhaps the main reason sleep apnea cases go undiagnosed is that people don’t realize sleep apnea can come with a load of serious side effects.
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to any or all of these:
High blood pressure
Chronic heart failure
Atrial fibrillation
Stroke
Diabetes
Depression
Weight gain
Memory problems
Drowsy driving
By now, it’s pretty clear that the best thing to do if you suspect that you or a loved one may have sleep apnea is to consult with your doctor.
If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea after taking a sleep test, your doctor may prescribe a CPAP machine, which uses air pressure to keep your airways open while you sleep.
They may also recommend lifestyle changes, such as exercising to lose weight, quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, sleeping in a different position, or avoiding certain medications.
Get An Answer
Do you have undiagnosed sleep apnea?
Now that you know the question, it is time to get the answer.
Don’t assume that your snoring is no big deal, is embarrassing, or has no consequences. Ask your doctor for an evaluation and get the information you need to be the healthiest you can be.
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