Are you a partner who complains about your snoring all the time? Are you tired of waking up every morning, even though you have slept well all night? You may have more to your problem than just a noise complaint. Snoring is not something to be taken lightly. Snoring is a serious problem. In fact, between 50 and 60 percent of people who snore suffer from a condition called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)If left untreated, it can prove to be fatal.
Geoff Malecha was a retired computer specialist. Geoff kept a healthy lifestyle and maintained a regular workout program for the majority of his adult life. Cassie, Geoff’s wife, noticed something strange about Geoff’s sleeping habits a few years back. Geoff would often snore or stop breathing in his sleep. Geoff started to choke during sleep and would wake up in panic and gasping for air. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, one sign of OSA is a complaint from your partner about you snoring loudly or stopping breathing while you sleep.
“That choking and gasping really got my attention,”Geoff stated. “It finally got me to finally see a physician about what was happening.”
The answer was then given. Geoff discovered that he was unable to breathe a total of 125 times an hour after completing his sleep study. Obstructive sleep apnea is more than just tired after a long night of sleep. If you stop breathing, your heart beats more quickly, increasing your risk of a stroke or heart attack. Insufficient sleep can impact your ability to perform basic functions such as driving a car and job performance.
“My doctor recommended I begin continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment,”Geoff has been recalled.
Geoff was fitted with a mask by the respiratory therapist and felt like a new person when he woke up each morning. Geoff made a commitment to use his CPAP device each night to get a better night of sleep.
“One of my main concerns when diagnosed with sleep apnea was how I would feel (or my wife might feel) having a mask on my face, hooked by a tube to a machine for the rest of my life. But because it has worked so well for both of us, my wife and I have accepted the device and have adapted our lives to include it. I take it everywhere because I do not want to try to sleep anywhere without it. It is just like brushing my teeth and putting on my pajamas,”Geoff.
“I sleep better because he sleeps better,” said Cassie. He doesn’t choking or make strange gasping sounds or he doesn’t breathe. I don’t wake him up at night. This used to make me extremely anxious and was very distressing. Because I was constantly worried about Geoff’s breathing, I don’t think I ever got to sleep deep. I now have peace of heart about my husband’s well-being and my sleep quality is much better.”
Sleep apnea is not complicated. It is an easily managed condition that won’t slow you down.
Being motivated to better your health is essential in your journey to a restful night’s sleep. For more information on sleep apnea symptoms and solutions, visit .WakeUptoSleep.org”>www.WakeUptoSleep.org.
