Do I Have Sleep Apnea?

The Baby Boomer generation, over 75 million strong, is known for its active and vibrant lifestyle. But as they age, their health needs can change. Let’s explore a common, yet often undiagnosed, condition affecting many Boomers: sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea comes from the Greek word “apnea,” meaning “without breath.” This condition involves pauses in breathing during sleep, often caused by a blocked airway. These pauses can happen hundreds of times a night, disrupting sleep and leaving you gasping for air.

The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In OSA, the throat muscles relax and partially block the airway during sleep, causing you to wake up gasping for breath.

Warning Signs of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea might be a sneaky culprit behind how you feel during the day. Here are some common signs to watch out for:

• Exhaustion All Day Long: Feeling super sleepy even after a full night’s sleep is a big clue. People with sleep apnea might wake up gasping for air throughout the night, interrupting their sleep without even realizing it. This lack of quality sleep leaves them drained during the day.
• Loud Snoring: Snoring is a common sound while we sleep, but really loud snoring, especially with gasping or snorting noises, could be a sign of sleep apnea.
• Waking Up With a Dry Mouth or Sore Throat: Constantly having a dry mouth or feeling like your throat is scratchy in the morning might be because your airway is getting blocked during sleep.
• Morning Headaches: Headaches that seem to start right when you wake up could be linked to sleep apnea. When your breathing keeps stopping and starting at night, it can cause a lack of oxygen to the brain, leading to headaches.
• Waking Up Gasping for Air: This might sound scary, but some people with sleep apnea actually wake up feeling out of breath because their airways are blocked during sleep.
• Mood Swings and Feeling Cranky: Ever feel like you’re on a roller coaster with your emotions? Sleep apnea can disrupt your sleep and make you feel irritable or even depressed.
• Can’t Focus and Forget Things More Often: Feeling foggy or forgetful could be a sign that your sleep isn’t restful. Sleep apnea can make it hard to concentrate and remember things clearly.

How is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?

If you’re experiencing some of the warning signs of sleep apnea, your doctor will want to do some detective work to figure out if it’s affecting your sleep. Here’s what you can expect.

Family History

Just like some hair or eye color runs in families, sleep apnea can too. The doctor might ask about your family history to see if anyone else has been diagnosed with sleep apnea.

Personal Medical History

Healthcare providers will ask a series of questions concerning personal medical history. They will also want to find out about sleeping patterns and associated symptoms caused by sleep apnea.

Sleep Diary

Sometimes keeping a sleep diary for a few nights can be helpful. This is like a journal where you write down when you go to sleep, wake up during the night, and feel tired during the day.

Physical Exam

The physician will typically examine the neck and throat for causes of blockages such as enlarged and swollen uvula. The uvula is located near the back of the throat and is a piece of soft tissue. Physicians also look at the soft palette which is located at the back of the throat on the roof of the mouth.

Sleep Study

In some cases, the doctor might recommend a sleep study. This is where you spend the night at a special sleep center or sometimes even at home. They’ll monitor your brain waves, breathing, heart rate, and oxygen levels while you sleep. This helps them see what’s happening with your breathing throughout the night.

CPAP Treatment

If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, there are different treatment options available, and a CPAP machine is a common and effective solution for many people. Here’s how it works:

• CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure. Think of it like a tiny air pump that helps keep your airway open all night long.
• The CPAP machine uses a gentle but steady stream of air that flows through a mask you wear while you sleep. This air pressure acts like a splint, holding your airway open so it doesn’t collapse during sleep.
• There are different mask options available, so you can find one that fits you comfortably. Some masks cover your nose, while others cover both your nose and mouth.
• It might take a little while to get used to wearing a mask while you sleep, but most people find that CPAP therapy greatly improves their sleep quality and daytime energy levels.

Here are some other things to know about CPAP:

• Not everyone needs CPAP: There are other treatment options available for sleep apnea, and your doctor will recommend the best approach for you.
• CPAP is quiet: Modern CPAP machines are very quiet, so they shouldn’t disrupt your sleep or the sleep of your partner.
• It’s easy to use: CPAP machines are designed to be user-friendly, and your doctor’s team will show you how to use it properly.

Benefits of Using a CPAP

People who use CPAP machines usually report feeling much better overall! Here are some of the ways CPAP can improve your life:

• Sleeping soundly: This might seem obvious, but CPAP keeps your airway open all night, so you don’t have those sleep interruptions caused by apnea. This translates into a much better quality of sleep.
• Waking up refreshed: No more feeling exhausted in the morning!
• Happier and less grumpy: Constant sleep deprivation can make anyone cranky. When you’re finally getting a good night’s rest, you’ll likely notice an improvement in your mood.
• Work and play with more pep: Feeling tired all the time can make it hard to focus, and forget about having the energy for fun activities. A good night’s sleep can help you feel more alert and improve your concentration and performance throughout the day.
• Snoring silenced: If your loud snoring was keeping you and your partner up at night, CPAP can be a lifesaver (or marriage saver!). By keeping your airway open, CPAP eliminates snoring so everyone can get a good night’s sleep.
• Safer on the road: Drowsy driving is dangerous. When you’re well-rested, you’ll be more alert behind the wheel.
• More get-up-and-go: Feeling sluggish and unmotivated can be a real drag. With better sleep, you feel energized and ready to tackle your day with a positive attitude.

CPAP Side Effects

Even though CPAP can be a sleep-saving superhero, it can also come with some minor annoyances. Here are some of the most common not-so-super side effects people experience when they first start using CPAP:

• Dry nose and throat: The constant stream of air from the CPAP machine can dry out your nose and throat, especially if you breathe through your mouth while you sleep.
• Mask marks on your face: The CPAP mask might leave some red marks or indentations on your face, especially when you first start using it. These usually go away in the morning.
• Stuffy nose and sinus woes: Some people experience congestion or sinus problems when they use CPAP. This could be because the mask puts a little pressure on your sinuses or because the dry air irritates them.
• Dry eyes: If your CPAP mask leaks a little bit, the air can blow out and dry out your eyes.

Here are some tips to manage these side effects:

• Use a humidifier: Adding moisture to the air with a humidifier can help prevent dryness in your nose and throat.
• Find the right mask fit: A well-fitting mask is less likely to cause leaks or leave marks on your face.
• Talk to your doctor: If you’re having trouble with any of these side effects, your doctor can offer suggestions and make adjustments to your CPAP therapy.