Think You Have Sleep Apnea? Here’s What You Need to Know

Do you snore? Do you always feel tired and cranky? Do you have trouble focusing? If you said yes to all of these questions, then you may have sleep apnea.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes a person to stop breathing very briefly while they sleep. Although the pauses are short, they occur throughout the night – for some even more than 30 times an hour. 

Risk factors

While anyone can theoretically get sleep apnea, there are factors that heighten the possibility of getting it. Some of these include.

• The size of your jaw or throat: A small jaw, recessed chin, or an overbite all contribute to sleep apnea.
• Being overweight: Extra weight, especially around your upper airway, can affect your ability to breathe at night. 
• Age: The older you are, the more likely you are to get sleep apnea. 
• Being male: Men are twice as likely to get sleep apnea as women. 

Why you need to get diagnosed 

If left untreated, sleep apnea doesn’t just cause you to feel tired and grumpy. It can increase your risk of hear attack or stroke too.

A sleep specialist can determine whether or not you have sleep apnea. This usually includes a sleep test that monitors your habits and functions while you sleep. You may need to adjust your lifestyle for better health, and you may need to get a CPAP machine. This helps keeps your airways open while you sleep. Get diagnosed, and get ready for better health.

Newly diagnosed with OSA and need CPAP? Shop CPAP, CPAP Masks, and Accessories Now!