If your partner is annoyed from your heavy snoring, or has actually seen you stop breathing in your sleep, that can clue you in that you might suffer from sleep apnea.
But if you sleep alone, it may be hard to determine what’s actually going on when you’re snoozing. So pay close attention to some waking symptoms: You may feel sleepy during the day, or experience morning headaches, insomnia, trouble concentrating, mood changes, or have a decreased sex drive.
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, about 20% of men have symptoms of sleep apnea. Worse, around 80% of adults with the disease don’t even realize they have a problem. Sleep apnea is more common in men over 40 and in those who are overweight, but it can affect anyone.
Complications that can happen when you have sleep apnea:
- Wake up with headaches
- You nod behind the wheel
- Decreased performance on the job
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Prone to stroke and heart diseases
- Prone to Hypertension and Diabetes
- Memory fades and increased risk of dementia/ Alzheimer
- Decreased libido
How do you know if you’re too sleepy?
You may not feel the effects of sleeping less at night, and you can remain vigilant when it comes to driving while drowsy. The American National Sleep Foundation highlights the following signs that you are too tired to drive and should stop and rest:
- You yawn frequently
- Focusing becomes difficult
- You have difficulty keeping your
head up - You start to blink a lot
- You keep rubbing your eyes
- Your eyelids feel heavy
- You go from one point to another without remembering how you got there
- You miss your exit or blow through traffic signs unaware
- You start to drift from your lane
or tailgate - You feel grumpy and restless
Where Can You Get Help?
If you or someone you know is suffering from poor sleep quality, snoring, awakening at night with choking sensation, fatigue & drowsy, and difficulty remembering things, it is highly recommended to seek an evaluation from a Sleep Medicine Consultant.
Other issues that may indicate the presence of sleep apnea in the right clinical setting is difficulty in controlling blood pressure despite taking multiple medications.
There are studies to diagnose sleep apnea. And the treatment is widely available, and can help improve your quality of life, overall health, and increase longevity.