Just trying to get some sleep...

When dealing with obesity you will most likely hear the term "Sleep Apnea" at one time or another. Sleep Apnea is a common sleep disorder that is usually defined as pauses and shallow breaths while sleeping. Often if you snore loud enough to wake the dead or your unsuspecting partner sleeping next to you, someone will gently suggest that you may have sleep apnea. According to the National Sleep Foundation , more than 18 million Americans have some form of sleep apnea. If left untreated sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure, memory problems, weight gain, impotence, headaches, and even more serious issues.

Let's just be honest here, if you are having issues with sleep apnea getting treated is pretty important. For those that are struggling with obesity the stakes are even higher because the health problems mentioned above are usually are already an issue and will just be exasperated by sleep apnea.

Also one thing that has not been addressed yet, people who have not had enough sleep are grouchy. Since we are being honest I thought it appropriate to address the real reason your friends and family wantyou to address your sleep apnea, you are grouchy and no wants to deal with your "I'm tired and I haven't slept well in years" attitude. What's worse is that the people who sleep within earshot of you aren't sleeping well either and they are probably grouchy too. With this revelation, one can only assume that the grouchy trolls that lived under bridges in the days of old, probably had some serious sleep apnea. I digress, but seriously if you don't sleep well you don't feel well.








It's time to stop the madness!

So how do we treat sleep apnea before we end up under a bridge...

1. Get a real diagnosis. Tell your primary care doctor what is going on, ask for a sleep study. http://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/sleep-studies

2. Lifestyle changes are in order! Changes like avoiding alcohol, losing weight, and quitting smoking are good places to start.

3. If you are prescribed a CPAP machine, USE IT! This machine might save your life someday. (Keeping you from snoring, which in turn keeps your significant other from putting a pillow over your face.) http://sleepfoundation.org/ask-the-expert/sleep-and-cpap-adherence

4. If your apnea is very severe your Doctor my suggest you have surgery to correct the airway obstruction, again this could save your life. (See #3)http://www.sleepapnea.org/treat/treatment-options/surgery.html

All joking aside, Sleep Apnea is a serious condition, but with proper treatment it can be resolved. You deserve a good nights rest and so does your family. Good health is a gift that only you can give yourself.

For more information on sleep apnea and sleep disorders please visit:http://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-disorders-problems/sleep-apnea

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