It is estimated that more than 96 million people are living with sleep apnea worldwide. Yet many people don’t know that they have it. Around 25% of sufferers do not display daytime sleepiness, which makes it difficult to diagnose the condition. In fact, 80% of the time, the condition goes completely undetected. So, what is sleep apnea? Why does it matter? And what can you do about it if you think you might have it?
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition characterized by snoring combined with stopping breathing for periods of time during sleep. When someone snores, they might exhale, then pause for a few seconds before inhaling again. This often happens frequently during the night and can cause gasping, coughing, spluttering, waking and having a choking sensation. It is often the partners of the person with sleep apnoea who recognize it first.
Is sleep apnea serious?
Any condition that obstructs breathing is serious and requires medical attention. Sleep apnea can cause death while sleeping if you fail to wake up during a choking / breathless moment. If you are overweight, it could be that there are physical restrictions around your throat which causes the obstruction. If you drink a lot of alcohol or take medications that induce drowsiness, you may not be able to wake up due to the obstruction. Therefore, if you do suspect you have sleep apnea, the first thing you can do is try to lose weight, lay on your side at night, and try to avoid drowsy medications or drinks.
Aside from being potentially fatal, sleep apnea causes frequent waking at night and poorer quality sleep, which can have a detrimental effect on your health. You might find you are more anxious, less productive, gain weight quicker or feel agitated. These are all common symptoms of insomnia.
What to do next?
If you suspect you have sleep apnea it is important to visit a GP / family doctor. They will probably monitor your oxygen intake during the night through a monitor, to see whether or not you actually have the condition. The problem is, treatment for sleep apnea can be somewhat inconvenient, so the doctor will want to make sure you actually have it before giving you a device to help.
What is the treatment for sleep apnea?
Depending on where you live and whether you are using a private health facility (such as a private sleep clinic) or an NHS one, the treatment for sleep apnea varies.
In most cases, you will be given a CPAP machine to wear at night. This is a mask that covers your face and gives you sufficient oxygen throughout the night. The good thing about a CPAP machine is it can literally save your life if you stop breathing. The bad thing is, the mask itself can disturb your sleep and disturb your partner too, as it can be noisy.
In some clinics, you can find a much more discreet CPAP machine that sits inside the nostrils. This is often preferred by patients as it is less invasive and disturbing. Speak to your practitioner about what’s available. If you cannot get a more discreet machine on the NHS, you can buy one privately.
What else can you do?
More often than not, sleep apnea is caused by being overweight. The fat around the neck obstructs the throat during sleep. So, losing weight is a good first step if this is causing the problem. If you are not overweight, there are other things you can do:
1. Get your tonsils checked. It could be that enlarged tonsils are causing the problem and can be removed.
2. Get an adjustable bed. An adjustable bed can help prop you up into a position that doesn’t allow your airway to become obstructed.
3. Sleep on your side. Try placing a tennis ball against your back to prevent you from moving to your back during the night.
4. Quit smoking
5. Reduce or quit alcohol intake
6. Avoid sleeping pills
7. Use an extra pillow
How Flexispot can help
At flexispot, we offer ergonomic furniture that is designed with your health and body in mind. We offer an adjustable bed that allows you to find a comfortable position to sleep in. The bed is proven to help reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea. It is also possible to use this bed without disturbing your partner, as you can buy two single mattresses for it and therefore only one mattress needs to adjust, whereas the other one can remain within your partner’s preference. It has plenty of storage space underneath and comes in 3 different height options. What are you waiting for? If you think you have sleep apnea, it’s best to take action sooner rather than later. Browse the whole Flexispot range or get in touch with customer support to talk about how an adjustable bed, or any other furniture, can help you get a better night’s sleep.
