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Millions of Americans don't know it, but they have this sleep disorder that stops them from breathing hundreds of times a night, sometimes for as long as a minute.
Sleep Apnea is a life threatening medical disorder often characterized by loud and continuous snoring. Other symptoms include waking frequently through the night gasping for breath or dozing off during normal activities such as reading, sitting in traffic, or during a meeting at work.
The good news is that Sleep Apnea is treatable and controllable. Sleep experts - doctors who are specially trained to diagnose and treat patients with sleep disorders - conduct overnight sleep evaluation studies to determine if snoring is a symptom of a more serious problem. Then a personalized treatment program is designed to literally put your sleep disorder to rest.
What's your snore score?
Snoring and sleep apnea disrupts sleep for you and the one sleeping next to you. It can negatively affect job performance and put you at risk for drowsy driving. Your answers to this quiz will help decide if you have sleep apnea:
1. Are you a loud, habitual snorer?
2. Do you feel tired and groggy when you wake up?
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3. Are you often sleepy during waking hours and/or can you fall asleep quickly?
4. Are you overweight and/or do you have a large neck?
5. Have you been observed to choke, gasp, or hold your breath during sleep?
6. Do you have a history of hypertension?
If you or someone close to you answers yes to any of the questions, you should discuss your symptoms with your doctor or a sleep specialist.
Sleep Awareness Week
March 5-11, 2007. It's a special week with a specific purpose: Make people aware of the potential life threatening dangers of sleep disorders. The OVGH Sleep Evaluation Center urges you to consider the symptoms of inadequate sleep.
• Slowed thinking and reacting
• Frequent errors or mistakes
• Poor judgment in complex situations
• Difficulty solving problems
• Depression or negative moods
• Impatience with people and situations
• Frequent blinking, difficulty focusing eyes, or heavy eyelids
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