5 Things You Need to Know About Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a serious condition. Over time, it can increase health risks. And if not treated, it may lead to heart disease, stroke, or even death in extreme cases. So, if you’re not getting enough sleep, or finding yourself awake at night, it is then right time to seek medical consultation. You may be suffering from a serious sleep disorder where pauses in breathing while you sleep are regular. Your sleep may be broken because apnea makes it difficult for the brain to decide between sleeping and breathing. The good thing however is, treatment options are available and apnea is entirely treatable.     

Here are 5 major things to know about sleep apnea -

1. Snoring is not the only symptom

Many people think that loud snoring is the most prominent symptom of sleep apnea, but they are wrong to some extent. Because, the disorder is also characterized by a feeling of excessive sleepiness or even falling asleep during the day. In fact, apnea can make you lose control over your sleep therefore falling asleep anytime can happen, even during work or meeting or driving. Some of other apnea signs may include morning headaches, lack of concentration, mood swings and dry mouth etc. And yes, not all snorers will have sleep apnea and you must know that well. 

2. Overweight people are more at risk 

While weight may not have anything to do with central sleep apnea (CSA), it is indeed a major risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In other words, OSA is more likely to strike people who are overweight and the reason is obviously the physical structure of the mouth in such people. So, they are more likely to experience a blocked airway when they sleep. Although being obese is not a certainty to have apnea, you should always play it safe and try to lose weight to stay healthy and disease-free.   

3. Sleep apnea can be fatal 

You should take apnea seriously as it has the potential to be become fatal if not treated in a timely manner. In fact, people with this disorder are at a greater risk for complications like high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, heart failure, diabetes etc. Worse still, lack of sleep may keep you feel tried and exhausted all day along putting your life and relationship off track. Chances are, apnea can make you depressed as well, purely for the kind of debilitating effects it has on the body. So, you should seek medical help without delay and bring your life back on track.    

4. Lifestyle changes can make some difference   

Your apnea is likely to get worsened by anything that disturbs sleep. This is where making some minor lifestyle changes can help, or may create that much-needed difference. If you suffer from this disorder, it’s advisable to quit smoking, stay away from alcohol, reduce intake of soft drinks and never take sleeping pills. The focus should be on practicing good sleep hygiene so that the problem is not allowed to aggravate. You should minimize screen time before bed, maintain a good room temperature, keep the room clutter free and turn off all the lights while sleeping. 

5. Sleep apnea is treatable

The only silver lining with sleep apnea is its being treatable in nature. With treatment options available, you just have to benefit from them timely to keep risks away. You can consult a sleep specialist Brooklyn and chances are, he/she will advise you to wear a CPAP (continuous positive airflow pressure) mask at night. If you’re not comfortable with wearing a mask, there are mouthpieces (oral appliances) as well for treatment. And if nothing works, a surgery option is there to get help.