Having trouble sleeping? Does morning find you in a fog? Do you fight to stay awake during the day only to struggle to sleep at night? Your disrupted sleep may be caused by sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common problem. It causes those suffering from it to stop breathing while they sleep. This results in limiting oxygen reaching our lungs. When your body becomes deprived of oxygen, it forces you to wake up. If this happens several times during the night, the result will be sleep deprivation.

There are many myths surrounding this condition. The following are some myth busting facts about the disease and its treatment.

Myth: It isn’t that serious

Fact: Sleep apnea can be life threatening

Many people do not treat the condition with the seriousness it deserves. In fact, many (approximately 80%) cases go undiagnosed as a result. The truth is that it can be life threatening if left untreated. Over time, those with this disease can develop heart disease, stroke and other chronic conditions as a result of not getting enough rest.

Myth: It only affects overweight men

Fact: It can affect anyone

It’s not only overweight men who snore in an effort to get oxygen to their lungs. Obesity is simply one of the many risk factors associated with this breathing dysfunction. However, it can affect just about anyone.

Myth: It’s the same with everyone

Fact: There are different types of sleep apnea

The condition affects different people in different ways. This is because it presents in different forms. These include:

1. Obstructive – This is where the muscles in the throat are blocked or obstructed while the person sleeps.
2. Central – This is where the brain is unable to send or receive signals from the muscles. The correct signals required to regulate breathing are therefore not received or transmitted, resulting in a shutdown of the process.
3. Complex – This includes a combination of both central and obstructive varieties.

Myth: You don’t have it if you’re not snoring

Fact: Snoring is only one of the symptoms

Loud snoring is one of the many symptoms of sleep apnea. Other common symptoms include feeling excessively sleepy during the day, falling asleep during the day, having trouble concentrating, sore throat, dry mouth, fatigue and much more.

Myth: Women can’t get it

Fact: Women can get it too

More men than women have been diagnosed with the disorder. However, this doesn’t mean that women can’t get it too. In fact, the risk of developing it increases in women who have reached menopause.

Myth: There’s nothing you can do about it

Fact: It can be managed

There are various things you can do to manage it. These include losing weight, avoiding alcohol and seeking treatment from a specialist. The treatment you apply will depend on the factors that led to its development or those that are causing it to get worse. Treatments vary from simple lifestyle changes to more complex treatments such as wearing a breathing mask.

If you’re in Orland Park and have searched for sleep apnea treatment Orland Park, get in touch with us. Book your appointment with our sleep apnea dentist in Orland Park and reclaim your sleep and your life.