Sleep Apnea: How dangerous is it?

Before reading through the rest of this chapter, please answer the following questions:

- Do you regularly snore a lot? Is your snoring so loud that you or someone is awakened by it?

- Does it ever happen to you that you wake up abruptly, often choking or gasping for air?

- At daytime, do you feel extremely sleepy? Even if you’re doing something, do you have a hard time staying awake to finish it?

- Do you have dry mouth, headaches, sore throat once you wake up in the morning?

If you answer YES to all these questions, then you probably have the sleep disorder apnea.

Sleep apnea is a deadly sleep disorder that gets worse as you grow older. Not only is sleep apnea causes you sleep deprivation, but worse, it can pose danger to your life.

Anyone can have sleep apnea. According to recent statistics, at least 12 million American suffer from sleep apnea. Majority of those suffering from sleep apnea are overweight and heavily snorers.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea? These are:

- Snoring loudly and regularly;

- Are overweight;

- Suffering from high-blood pressure;

- Have small airways sized in the nose, mouth, and throat; and

- Has at least one from your family that have been suffering or suffered from apnea.

This sleep disorder affects more men than women. Out of 25 middle-aged guys, one suffers from sleep apnea while only one out of 50 women suffers from it.

Based on statistics, sleep apnea occurs more commonly in Americans of African descent, Hispanics, and those living in the Pacific Islands. If your family has a sleep apnea case, then it is highly probable that you would get one too.

Sleep apnea also occurs with children, with its most common symptom as snoring.

What are the common sleep apnea symptoms?

- Loud snoring

- Gasping or choking for air during sleep

- Drowsiness and extreme desire to sleep at day time, even while you’re at work or driving

Others signs may include:

- Morning headaches

- Learning or memory problems

- Feeling irritable

- Inability to concentrate

- Mood swings or changes in personality

- Dry throat upon waking up

- At night, frequent urination