Sleep Apnea Medical Advice

Written by Fred McConnell

If you suspect that you have sleep apnea, medical advice is the first order of business. The sleeping disorder may be an indicator of heart disease or something else. On the other hand, if you have sleep apnea and ignore it, you may develop illness that can ultimately lead to premature death. In other words, it is not a minor inconvenience that leaves you tired a lot. You definitely need to seek sleep apnea medical advice.

What Ifs

You may not even realize you have sleep apnea. Maybe you are simply trying to find a reason for some of the sleep apnea symptoms you have been experiencing. A family member may have suggested that you might have the sleep disorder. He/she may be begging you to go to the doctor, especially if it is your partner who is also suffering from sleep deprivation, because you snore too loud and are very restless in the night.

If you live alone, your decision to visit a doctor may simply be based on the symptoms you recognize after you wake up. For example, what if you actually wake yourself up in the night, because you snore too loudly? If you live in an apartment, do you have neighbors knocking on your walls in the middle of the night or maybe registering complaints with the landlord?

What if you are so tired all of the time, it is hard to function properly during the day? Do you sometimes wake up more tired than when you went to bed? Do you constantly wake up with dry mouth? Do you have trouble concentrating? Do you always feel like taking a nap? If you have any of these symptoms or others, you need to check with your doctor. What if you have sleep apnea?

Before your Appointment

Since the time will be limited, and you will have a lot of things to discuss with the doctor, it will be in your best interests to do what you can to prepare in advance. The first thing you need to do is write down ALL of your symptoms. You need to even list those things that may seem unrelated at the time. Anything that does not seem like normal, for anyone but you, should go on that list. Also make sure to add any stressors and changes in your life that might make sleeping a challenge.

In addition, make sure to include all of your health conditions and any medications that you are currently taking. You will need to make sure to list even the over-the-counter things like vitamins, calcium pills, or whatever. Be sure to list your doses. The amount of medication you are taking may also be a problem. You never know. Some of your medications or supplements may be contributing to sleep apnea.

What you Need to Know

If you are concerned that you might have sleep apnea, then you probably have a lot of question. Right now, you may have a dozen or more running through your mind. However, it is not uncommon to forget those questions during your visit with the doctor. You appointment time is limited, you are a little nervous, and you are already worried that you will forget something important.

So, you need to write down all of your questions. For example, you are going to want to know what might be causing all of these symptoms; how is the doctor going to find out if you truly suffer sleep apnea; and, what are your treatment options? You might want to start this list a few days in advance of your appointment. If a question comes to mind, you can add it to the list. If you wait until the last minute, you are liable to forget something important.

Two Heads are Better

Finally, before you go to the doctor, find a friend or family member that will take the time to go with you. If your partner will go that is even better. He/she will know your sleeping habits, probably better than you. The doctor will have a lot of questions about how you sleep, so this can be very helpful.

Also, you will have a lot of information both to give and receive. If you have someone with you, he/she can help you remember both what to ask, and what the doctor said. If you are suffering from sleep deprivation, you are likely to be forgetful and a little foggy on the details. So, having a little assistance at this point is a good thing.

If you think you may have sleep apnea, you need to find out, one way or the other. It might even be some other medical problem that is keeping you from resting well at night. Once you learn why you are not sleeping, the treatment can start that may give you the first good night’s rest in years.