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Sleep Apnea – How to Know if You Have it?

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Ever been rudely awakened by an elbow jab to the gut or a pillow smack to the face from an angry bed partner? Or perhaps your snoring is why you wake up to find your cat staring at you like this…

A cat's reaction to obstructive sleep apnea

If you are diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, then hopefully this is a vignette from your past. If this happened earlier this morning…well…it may be time to go see your doctor to make sure your snoring isn’t more than just a noise issue.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a condition in which a person’s airway closes while resting, impeding the flow of air into the lungs. These events are known as apneas, a Greek word meaning “without breath.” Although apneas don’t typically trigger full alertness, they can disrupt sleep long enough to leave you groggy in the morning and at risk for other serious health issues.

What are the symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

  • Loud and frequent snoring
  • Snorting, gasping or choking during rest
  • Sleepiness or lack of energy during the day
  • Waking up with a sore or dry throat
  • Morning headaches
  • Restless sleep
  • Forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating
  • Moodiness, irritability, or depression
  • Weight gain
  • High blood pressure

How to Get Diagnosed with Sleep Apnea?

If you’re suffering from any of the aforementioned symptoms, consult your general care doctor. In many cases, your doctor will recommend a sleep test. This test, usually conducted in a specialized sleep lab by a sleep doctor and a respiratory therapist, is called a polysomnogram or PSG. Your doctor will review the results of your PSG with you and suggest a course of action.

How to Treat Sleep Apnea?

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the most common treatment for moderate to severe OSA. In many cases, you’ll experience immediate symptom relief and a huge boost in your mental and physical energy, referred to by many CPAP users as a “CPAP high”.

While CPAP therapy may seem like a difficult adjustment, the trade off is significant. Untreated Sleep Apnea can lead to high blood pressure, strokes, heart attacks, depression, and diabetes. Many CPAP users find using comfort items can make a world of difference. Below is a special CPAP pillow, which will place your head and CPAP mask in a comfortable position, preventing the mask from being pressed into the pillow.

CPAP pillow

Want to Learn More about Sleep Apnea & CPAP Therapy?

CPAP.com is proud to offer a large library of information on Sleep Apnea as well as CPAP equipment. Have specific questions? No problem! Contact our CPAP experts for individualized answers.

If you have been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea and are ready to treat it, check out our big discounts on CPAP, APAP, and BiPAP machines!

  • The CPAP Team

    CPAP.com is a family-owned and operated business dedicated to providing affordable sleep apnea equipment to those who need sleep therapy. The CPAP team strives to provide insightful and meaningful information to its audience, keeping you in the know on the latest happenings in the sleep health and respiratory world.

Need Help With Sleep Apnea?

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5 Responses

  1. I have had my cpap machine forabout two years and I feel so much better when I awake in the morning.the problem I am having in my nose is dry and when I use my sinus rinse my nose bleeds a little.

  2. I hope you’ve found the information useful! If you have any questions or need any help with Sleep Apnea or CPAP equipment, feel free to give us a call at 1-800-356-5221.

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