What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. These pauses in breathing can last from a few seconds to a minute or more and can occur hundreds of times a night.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
The most common symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)
- Loud snoring
- Witnessed apneas (pauses in breathing)
- Morning headaches
- Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Decreased libido
- Erectile dysfunction
Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea
Certain factors can increase your risk of developing sleep apnea, including:
- Obesity
- Large neck circumference (over 17 inches for men and 16 inches for women)
- Narrowed airway
- Family history of sleep apnea
- Smoking
- Alcohol use
- Certain medical conditions (such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke)
Complications of Sleep Apnea
Untreated sleep apnea can lead to a number of serious health problems, including:
- Increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Arrhythmias
- Obesity
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Poor quality of life
How to Diagnose Sleep Apnea
If you think you may have sleep apnea, it’s important to see your doctor. They can perform a physical exam and ask you about your symptoms. They may also order a sleep study to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment for Sleep Apnea
There are a number of different treatments for sleep apnea, including:
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy: CPAP therapy is the most common treatment for sleep apnea. It involves wearing a mask over your nose and mouth that delivers pressurized air to keep your airway open.
- Oral appliance therapy: Oral appliance therapy involves wearing a custom-made mouthpiece that helps to keep your airway open.
- Surgery: Surgery may be an option for people who do not tolerate CPAP or oral appliance therapy.
Tips for Managing Sleep Apnea
If you have sleep apnea, there are a number of things you can do to manage your condition, including:
- Lose weight if you are overweight or obese.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking before bed.
- Sleep on your side.
- Elevate your head and shoulders while sleeping.
- Use a humidifier in your bedroom.
- Get regular exercise.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
There are a number of common mistakes that people with sleep apnea make, including:
- Not following their doctor’s recommendations.
- Not using their CPAP or oral appliance therapy as prescribed.
- Sleeping on their back.
- Drinking alcohol before bed.
- Smoking.
How Sleep Apnea Affects Your Health
Sleep apnea can have a significant impact on your health. It can lead to a number of serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. It can also make it difficult to concentrate, stay awake during the day, and perform at your best.
How to Get Help for Sleep Apnea
If you think you may have sleep apnea, it’s important to see your doctor. They can diagnose your condition and recommend the best course of treatment. There are a number of things you can do to manage your sleep apnea and improve your overall health.
