Are you an adult getting the elbow treatment in bed every night? If so, you may be among 44 percent of men and 28 percent of women who snore on a regular basis. The condition can be worsened temporarily by respiratory infections or allergies, but when it is persistent, it may be a sign of sleep apnea.
Being middle-aged or older, male, overweight or using sedating substances such as alcohol or certain medications increases the risk of sleep apnea, however anyone can potentially have it.
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| Nancy Crossley, M.D. |
“Anyone who snores and frequently feels sleepy during the daytime is at increased risk for sleep apnea and should be tested,” says Beaumont internal medicine/pediatrics physician Nancy Crossley, M.D. “You should also talk with your doctor about testing if you snore and have two or more of the following symptoms: waking up feeling not well rested, waking frequently at night, having frequent morning headaches, have long pauses in breathing while sleeping, waking up gasping or choking, mood changes, poor concentration, strange, vivid dreams, obesity, heartburn or high blood pressure.”
Dr. Crossley says that being tested for sleep apnea will usually include going to a specialized sleep laboratory for overnight observation at Beaumont’s Sleep Evaluation Services. There, heart rate and rhythm, breathing rate and effort, oxygen level, brain waves, body position and leg movements will all be monitored. If the test confirms sleep apnea or another sleep disorder, you will be asked to follow-up with the sleep specialist to plan treatment.
According to Crossley, untreated, sleep apnea affects many parts of your body and can cause both short-term and long-term health problems. In the short term, drowsiness and poor concentration can impair your performance at work. Because of increased sleepiness and worsened reaction time, patients with severe sleep apnea are more than twice as likely to be involved in motor vehicle accidents.
Not treating sleep apnea also increases your risk for high blood pressure, heart attack, heart rhythm problems and stroke. The good news is that many patients are amazed at how much better they feel once they begin treatment, because they have slept poorly for so long.
Here’s to a good night’s sleep!
