Sleep apnea is a common but serious sleep problem where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you’re sleeping. Think of it like taking little breaks from breathing throughout the night. As per AIIMS, Delhi study, almost 11% of Indians are suffering from Sleep Apnea and majority of them are not aware & not taking any kind of treatment.
You might have sleep apnea if you:
- Snored very loudly.
- Suddenly I woke up feeling short of breath.
- Wake up with a dry mouth or a sore throat.
- Have morning headaches.
- Find it hard to stay asleep.
- Feel extremely tired during the day, even after sleeping all night.
- Are often irritable.
Get sleep apnea checked because if you don’t treat it, it can lead to other health problems like:
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Tired during the day affects your work or daily life.
- It may lead to Heart problems, including irregular heartbeats.
Treat options for sleep apnea:
· Consult a Doctor & follow advice.
· Losing weight.
- Changing sleeping position.
Many people who have sleep apnea don’t even know it, often because they’re worried about getting tested. Some people imagine sleep studies as uncomfortable nights in a lab with lots of wires. But the good news is that most sleep studies are actually done at home using a simple wrist monitor that you wear overnight. This gives doctors very accurate information about your sleep.
Some tips for better sleep include:
- Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends. Being consistent with your sleep schedule is really important.
- Making sure your bedroom is dark, cool, and quiet.
- Avoiding coffee, tea, and cigarettes before bed.
- Going for a regular walk & exercise.
- Reducing screen time (like phones and TVs) for at least an hour before you go to sleep.
- Finding ways to manage stress, like writing in a journal or talking to someone.
- Avoiding long naps during the day.
- If you think you might have sleep apnea, it’s best to talk to your doctor.
