Dont Ignore the Snore

Every night it happens! Every Night! Right there in your house, as you sleep, a robber is in the house! He comes in your room as you "sleep" and grabs you by the throat! You are silent... unable to breath, unaware of the robber in the room.  Until finally, the lack of oxygen caused by this choking wakes you up violently with a loud snore..  Your heart races, you may wake and change position, and then fall back to "sleep" and the robber chokes you again... over and over and over...

The robber is apnea! The victims of this robber are many. Apnea is as common as diabetes. But, unfortunately, many folks are undiagnosed. Or, in some cases, misdiagnosed. They are given anti-depressants, blood pressure medicines, sleeping pills-or perhaps they self medicate with alcohol.

  And every time the victim stops breathing, their heart and pulmonary system battle to regain control.  This constant assault ( which could happen over a hundred or more times each night)  eventually takes it's toll on each person.  It could be in the form of daytime sleepiness, traffic accidents, memory problems, or short temper- or it could be more severe as a stroke or heart attack or high blood pressure .

So, how do you know if you might have apnea-

• Do you snore
• Has someone told you that you stop breathing in your sleep?
• Are you tired during the daytime?
• Do you have high blood pressure?

If so, save yourself from this nightly assault  and get screened for sleep apnea. 

I urge you to pay attention to what your own body is telling you. Too many times I have seen folks AFTER they have suffered cardiac issues related to depriving their heart of oxygen during the night.  Do it for your heart. Do it for your family. Do it today... and keep the robber away!

If you believe you may have sleep apnea, discuss it with your primary doctor and ask for a sleep screening at an accredited sleep Disorders Facility.

For more information please visit this website.