Do you snore? Are you constantly tired? Are you irritable?
The most dangerous part of sleep apnea is that most people who have it don’t realize it’s a problem.
Sleep apnea, simply defined, is pauses in your breathing while you are sleeping. These pauses can last a few seconds or a few minutes.
They can occur once in a while or dozens of times an hour.
The pauses in your breathing cause your brain to be deprived of oxygen. Your body will do whatever it takes to resume breathing and get that oxygen back to the brain.
This can take the form of snoring, gasping, choking, or snorting--and while it may seem harmless, it is anything but.
Anybody can develop sleep apnea, regardless of size, sex, or ethnicity.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is any air that squeezes past a blocked airway. During the day, the muscles in your throat help keep your airway open.
But at night it can be harder to breathe. Your throat or tongue muscles can relax. Fatty tissue in the neck can also narrow your airway.
Central sleep apnea is when the brain doesn’t send the correct signals to your breathing muscles, causing you to stop breathing for small periods of time.
Another common symptom of sleep apnea is loud snoring, irritability, or depression.
You may have mood swings. You may have memory problems or trouble concentrating. You may wake up with a headache or a dry mouth.
Needless to say, all of these things can contribute to a terrible night’s sleep. Multiple studies have shown that not getting the sleep you need is detrimental to your long term health.
Whatever the cause may be, if you find yourself unreasonably tired throughout the day--no matter what you do!--it may be a sign that you should see a doctor to discuss potential complications due to sleep apnea.
What if I Think I Have Sleep Apnea?
The short answer is simple: go see a doctor.
So if you think you are suffering from sleep apnea, what can you do?
How do you ensure that, even though sleep apnea may be a very real struggle, that you can get the rest that you so desperately need?
Your doctor or a sleep specialist will be able to evaluate whether there is a problem and recommend a wide array of options.
From small, non-intrusive mouth guards to the more traditional CPAP machines that gently pump air into your system while you sleep, there is a plethora of options available to help you get the sleep you need.
Everybody deserves a good night’s sleep. Without it, our relationships, our friendships, our mood, and our jobs can take a drastic hit. (Because we’re grumpy, groggy, depressed, and unhealthy.)
So if you think that you may be suffering from sleep apnea, make an appointment with a doctor to get evaluated.
A good night’s sleep is not only possible but also readily available.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Material in this newsletter is only 1) provided for general health education and informational purposes, and to provide references to other resources; it may not apply to you as an individual. While Apria believes that the information provided through this communication is accurate and reliable, Apria cannot and does not make any such guarantee. It is not intended to be a replacement for professional medical advice, evaluation, diagnosis, services or treatment (collectively, "medical treatment"). Please see your healthcare provider for medical treatment related to you and your specific health condition(s). Never disregard medical advice or delay seeking medical care because of something you have read on or accessed through this website. Reading this newsletter should not be construed to mean that you have a healthcare provider/patient relationship with Apria.
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