When we diagnose patients with sleep apnea and suggest sleep apnea treatment for improvement, we are often faced with patients who are just as overjoyed as they are disappointed. The upset tends to come with a particular question, along the lines of “how have I overlooked this problem for such a long time?” Keep in mind that identifying your own sleep disorder is often nearly impossible. Rather than feel guilty, we encourage you to focus on the solution and the fact that restful sleep is on the horizon. In addition, we would like to speak to what makes it so easy to live with this issue for such a long time.
You Sleep Alone
Guess what – if you sleep alone, chances are typically lower that you will realize you have sleep apnea. Why? Well, here’s an important fact for you: Most patients do not remember their sleep disturbances that wake them often hundreds of times per night. The episode occurs so quickly that in the morning, the only thing you know for certain is that you feel very tired and in need of help (sleep apnea treatment, of course).
Your Partner Tires of Your “Snoring”
It can be quite difficult to make the distinction between excessive snoring and sleep apnea treatment. This is because both sleep problems occur from an over-relaxation of the throat tissues. When the tissues touch one another, you snore – when they collapse, obstructive sleep apnea occurs. Many patients suffer from both. Unfortunately, the person sleeping next to you might not know anything about sleep apnea and instead you both assume that you are a “snorer.” The fact that snoring is a common issue that most people accept as a part of life makes seeking sleep apnea treatment seem unnecessary. Note: We urge you to speak with us about treatment, since the side effects of this issue can lead to significant health problems.
