How Do you Know When you Have Sleep Apnea?
For some people they may not realize that they have a sleeping disorder. They may just think that they are restless and have a hard time falling asleep at night. However, for some this may not be the reason at all. Some of these people that are not sleeping at night, may have sleep apnea.
People that are bothered by sleep apnea complain that they are waking up with a sore or dry throat. They may sometimes wake up choking or gasping for air. Often times the people that are affected by sleep apnea are waking up to the sound of their own snoring. This is something that will confirm sleep apnea and it may be time to get some treatment for it.
A person with sleep apnea often complains that they are tired during the day. They are not getting enough sleep at night and this is making it hard for them to deal with a normal work or school day. For some, it may start to affect their job performance or get them in trouble at school with failing grades.
There are other symptoms that are very common in most people that are suffering from sleep apnea. Some of these problems may be headaches, forgetfulness, terrible mood swings and even lack of sex drive. This is going to give a person the clue that they are not getting enough sleep at night and it may be time to get some kind of treatment for their disorder.
Many people that have sleep apnea are reporting that they are not getting enough sleep at night and that they are waking up throughout their sleep time. This is when they sometimes reach for the sleep medications to help them fall asleep and stay sleeping. This is sometimes the wrong approach to this disorder. These medications can in some cases, make the problem worse and there are many that will suffer more from the side effects of the medications.
The sleeping medications that a lot of people turn to when they can not get the sleep that they need, can make a person have more side effects that will continue to disturb their day. They may feel drowsier from the medications or they can feel nervous and jumpy. These alternatives are not always the best choice for a person that has a sleeping disorder like sleep apnea. It is always best to seek the help of a professional when it comes to getting help for getting a good nights rest.
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Author Darren Mallory
Tags: sleep apnea, sleeping medications
November 21st, 2008 at 8:36 am
What do you do when your husband has been diagnosed with sleep apnea and won’t use the machine?
My husband has sleep apnea and will not use the machine. He also has diabetes. He goes to work, comes home sleeps for about two hours, goes to bed at 12:00 AM and gets up about 4:30 for work. On the weekends he will sleep if you let him about 14 hours a day. He would do this during the week but he has to go to work. I just don't know what to do. I'm very concerned.
November 21st, 2008 at 1:38 pm
There is a brand new devise that can be worn inside the mouth like a mouth guard that positions the jaw just slightly forward in such a way that it clears the airway. He might be willing to try this - I'm sorry I don't recall the name of it but you can google it. The face mask for those sleep apnea machines can be hard to tolerate.
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November 21st, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Unfortunately, there's not much you can do… You can show him all the information about sleep apnea and its deleterious effects on health, how improved sleep can actually improve diabetes, etc etc, but until he decides to do what he needs to do, he'll probably just hear it as "nagging" and ignore you even more industriously.
If it gets to be that bad, you could lay down an ultimatum: That if he doesn't start taking better care of himself, you'll leave because you can't stand to watch him take such risks with his health. I would certainly not recommend that, unless the marriage is already irretrievably broken and you would actually be okay with it if he said, "All right, bye then."
My sympathies are with you; it's very frustrating to watch someone you care about neglect themselves. Unfortunately, your options are rather limited. I hope someone else has a more productive answer for you. Good luck.
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November 21st, 2008 at 1:42 pm
I am on the CPAP machine too. I snore. My husband wanted some sleep. So I look rediculous going to bed. We both go to sleep and he listens to the sound of the machine. I have hearing problems so if something goes wrong he nudges me awake.
Oh, what your husband is missing! I love to sleep but not over sleep anymore. The deep sleep with a blanket reminds me of my younger years! He is definately missing his deep sleep. He needs a follow up to discuss what the problem could be. Consult his sleep therapist/info should be in a folder…He will take off weight if he uses the machine (there is a possiblility) because he is getting proper sleep and energy goes up.
I am glad you are supportive. He may have a problem keeping his mouth shut if he is on a nasal mask only. They came out with a better mask for those of us that just has to breathe through our mouths at night/and it works!
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November 21st, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Have him take the machine in to get it adjusted. If you hard to use it makes sleeping even harder.
Make sure he knows how to use it and that he uses the sleep ramp setting on the machine.
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November 21st, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Tell me about it. My husband is a veteran and was diagnosed with sleep apnea….has a machine and won't use. One thing I know is that we sleep in separate rooms, until we are together sexually. I have even told him about his belly. He should get into some kind of gym to exercise…so I will be praying for you and your husband. Keep showing him that you are concern about his hh.ealt
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November 21st, 2008 at 1:48 pm
I have sleep apnea also and I've been on a CPAP for several years now. It is difficult to get used to the mask, but it is SOOOOO worth it. At first, I would get leaks and it would wake me up and it took me several weeks to get the headgear adjusted so I seldom get leaks now. I have so much more energy, my mood has improved and I'm loving life evety day. I had to go for another sleep stud and found that I can not sleep without it now. I purchased a battery back-up unit that will run the CPAP for 8 hours in case of a power failure.
Someone else said something about noise, my machine hardly makes a sound, my wife can't hear it from her side of the bed but can if she comes around to my side. The machines are so much better than just a few years ago.
Show him some of the replies you get like this and see if he won't give it another try.
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