Obstructive Sleep Apnea Myths and Misconceptions

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Myths and Misconceptions

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Only Affects Men

It is estimated that 6 million American women suffer from sleep apnea, and has been linked to depression and female sexual dysfunction. Gestational obstructive sleep apnea can also develop in pregnant women.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Only Affects Older / Overweight People

Weight is a common factor which contributes to the likelihood of developing sleep apnea, but people of all shapes, ages and sizes can develop the sleep disorder. In skinny sufferers, the condition can develop from excess tissue in the throat or the build of the jaw. Alcohol also increases the chances of developing sleep apnea as can smoking, aging and a family history of the disorder.

I Can Live With Sleep Apnea, All It Does Is Make Me Tired

Obstructive sleep apnea does make you tired, but there are numerous side effects of the condition as well as consequences of neglecting to treat the disorder. Sleep apnea has been connected to sexual dysfunction, strokes, depression, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. In an alarming study, those suffering from sleep apnea are three times as likely to die from any disease as those who do not suffer from the disorder.

I’m Depressed, Which Is the Reason I Am Tired

Depression and sleep apnea share similar characteristics, including lethargy, loss of concentration, weight gain, mood swings and excessive fatigue. Many people immediately associate these symptoms to depression; therefore do nothing to attempt to combat the issue. Ensure that you are 100 percent positive whether you are suffering from depression, or indeed from sleep apnea.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Does Not Affect My Driving

If you are constantly exhausted, then you are a danger to yourself and other if you decide to drive. A tired driver offers as many risks as those of a drunk driver. You are not invincible, and when suffering from sleep apnea you have to realise that driving is extremely dangerous. A four hour sleep shortage equates to a blood alcohol level of 0.10 percent, the level that a driver is considered drunk. Research has shown that drowsy drivers cause more accidents on the roads than drunk drivers.

Most People Snore, What Exactly Is The Problem?

The majority of people do snore throughout the night, but those suffering from sleep apnea will also choke or gasp whilst they sleep. This is a very obvious sign, and probably the best way for a partner to recognise a problem. This can look very unsettling and painful, but sufferers can go through this hundreds of times in one night, completely obliviously.

Sleep Apnea Masks Are Too Uncomfortable To Wear

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), is typically the most common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. The sufferer wears a mask, which is directly connected to a machine which provides air into the nose, preventing a collapse of the airways. Many people have no problem using the mask, but if you feel it is unpleasant or uncomfortable, there are a number of alternative masks, which come in a whole host of shapes and sizes to suit your face. Don’t abandon treatment too early, seek alternatives!