Although sleep apnea is common, many still do not understand what it is and how it impacts people's lives. If a loved one or someone you know has sleep apnea, it would be smart to try and understand their sleep disorder and the consequences of not treating it. Take a look at the comparison of having treatment vs no treatment for sleep apnea below.

Those Without CPAP Therapy

Depression

When the body isn’t getting the amount of rest it needs to recharge, moodiness, anxiety and depression is a common consequence. Think of it as a recurring state of “grumpiness.”

Brain Fog

The brain regenerates as you sleep. It disposes of the information you don’t need and rejuvenates other areas to make them work properly. However, those with OSA report feeling that they are in a constant state of “fogginess.” It can impact their memory and ability to take on simple tasks.

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

You may frequently hear them mentioning how tired they are. Even if they think they got a decent amount of sleep, if they have OSA, it’s likely they never got through a complete sleep cycle. Alternatively, they may never talk about being tired but think that they are falling short in certain areas of their life. In extreme cases, they may even fall asleep at the wheel. You may notice them falling asleep at different social times such as at a movie theater.

Headaches

You may suspect that someone who wakes up with a headache has had too much alcohol or even slept on their neck wrong. However, an individual with a sleep disorder often experiences headaches in the morning. This can be due to the low levels of oxygen in the blood causing the blood vessels to widen.

Snoring

Not everyone who snores has obstructive sleep apnea, but those with sleep apnea are often snorers. If you notice a loved one snoring, you may want to suggest that they bring it to their doctor’s attention.

Those Using CPAP Therapy

For individuals who have been diagnosed with OSA, they know how important sticking to their treatment is to their health. These are just a few of the things that they have to think about in their daily lives.

Traveling takes extra preparation.

If they don’t have a traveling CPAP machine, they have to coordinate how they will bring a larger device with them on their travels. They will also have to get permission from the airlines to carry the CPAP machine on an airplane.

Getting ready for the day takes some additional time.

With proper care of their machine, they will need to clean the masks each morning.

Some are self-conscious about their treatment.

CPAP masks are much more sleek than they used to be, but wearing a mask can be difficult to get used to. They may not want someone they are not close to seeing them wear the mask.

If you think you have a sleep disorder, it’s never too soon to get it checked out. If you are in need of a sleep test, contact us today.