Sleep apnea is a potentially dangerous and life-threatening sleep disorder that affects millions of people across the globe. If you don’t know what it is, sleep apnea is a condition in which a person’s breathing is repeatedly interrupted and happens often at night. When these episodes of disrupted breathing occur for extended periods of time, it causes the body and brain to receive an insufficient amount of oxygen.
Sleep Apnea is especially dangerous because often people don’t realize they are even suffering from it. The majority of cases remain undiagnosed, and the individual might not even be aware that they ever have difficulty breathing while they sleep. With untreated sleep apnea, the patient can suffer from a variety of symptoms such as tiredness, heart problems, memory issues, and even worsen existing mental health issues.
Given the potentially life-threatening consequences of untreated sleep apnea, it is important to be aware of it and look for signs that you might be suffering from it. With the proper diagnosis, treatment and lifestyle changes, a person’s quality of life can drastically improve.
Possible Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Given the difficulty of self-diagnosing the condition, the best way to find out is to visit your doctor and get tested. There are certain symptoms that could potentially point to sleep apnea. Some of the common symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, breathing pauses, fatigue during the day, morning headaches, and weight gain. If you have any of these symptoms, it is best to contact your doctor and start the process of diagnosing and treating the condition.
Other Health Benefits of Treating Sleep Apnea
Early diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea can have a variety of health benefits besides helping a person with their sleep. Some of these benefits include better concentration and focus during the day, reduced risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease, improved overall blood sugar levels, reduced trips to the doctor, and overall improvement in quality of life.
Treating Sleep Apnea
Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to treat sleep apnea depending on the cause and severity of the condition. Mild cases of sleep apnea can often be helped through lifestyle changes such as losing weight, avoiding alcohol and quitting smoking. For more severe cases, there are medical solutions such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and surgery. In any case, it is important to consult your doctor and get the correct diagnosis and make informed decisions about the best course of treatment.
Prevention and Awareness of Sleep Apnea
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Avoid alcohol and smoking
- Get enough sleep
- Practice proper sleep hygiene
- Visit your doctor
It is especially important to be aware of the risk factors and symptoms of sleep apnea. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to many health problems including stroke, heart attack, obesity, and a higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease. Proper diagnosis and treatment can help to prevent these potential problems.