subject: Obstructive Sleep Apnea - Signs You May Be Suffering [print this page] Obstructive sleep apnea is an underrated condition when it comes to dangerous health risks. When you stop and think about it, it's really not a laughing matter at all. Not being able to breathe for any reason, particularly during the night when you aren't aware of your actions, can be extremely hazardous. This goes for both the long term and the short term. Unfortunately, it is also a tricky condition to diagnose. If you suspect you might have this or another version of it, here are some signs that could point you in the right direction.
If you're in your 40s or older, you are at your highest risk for obstructive sleep apnea. Of course, it can strike at any age, so being younger is not necessarily an exclusionary trait. There are a number of other risk factors for the condition. Being overweight and male are two of the most common. Smokers are known to have more problems than nonsmokers. If you meet any or all of these criteria and are having trouble with your respiration at night, there is a good chance you could be suffering from the condition and you should report your symptoms to a doctor.
Not only is obstructive sleep apnea often a result of being overweight, it can actually cause further weight gain. When the body doesn't get enough deep rest, it can cause a wealth of health problems, many of which can go unnoticed for a long time. This is why it's so important to get treatment quickly, even if you aren't aware of the problems the condition is causing you. It can also adversely affect your blood pressure (putting you at higher risk for heart attack and stroke), and cause headaches.
If you are waking up in the middle of the night due to reasons which are unknown, start making a journal to record these instances. If it happens once or twice, it may be nothing. If it begins happening on a regular basis (more than once a week), and there is no obvious cause, you should see a doctor immediately. This is a major sign of the condition. You may not even be aware that you stopped breathing. Upon diagnosis, there are a number of treatment options. These may include wearing a CPAP device which can ensure that you are always getting a positive airflow through your lungs.
Please take care to monitor signs of this serious health condition.
