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Obstructive
Sleep Apnea |
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It's really
nothing to full around with ...... |
| During the last several years that I was
married, my ex-wife commented frequently about my snoring. She would also comment how I
would simply stop breathing frequently throughout the night. Being a typical male, I never
gave it that much thought since the snoring wasn't effecting me. |
| As the years
went by, I seemed grow more and more tired during the day. I found
myself falling asleep in movies and meetings. |
| I did some investigation
into having a sleep study done, but at the time my insurance would not cover it, and I
really could not afford the cost. Eventually when my employer started offering alternative
health plans, I found one that would cover the costs, so went forward with having the
study done. It was really pretty easy. A brief consultation with the doctor, an overnight
at home study done with a small portable device which measured various activities within
the body, and then an overnight study in the hospital's sleep center. |
| Following the initial visit and home
study, it was determined that I did, in fact, suffer from severe obstructive sleep apnea.
The doctor told me that I had probably one of the worst cases he had seen. My breathing
actually stopped over 900 times during an 8-hour period, and my blood oxygen level which
should remain over 90% actually dropped most of the night to about 60%. No wonder I was
always tired during the day, and had suffered from severe morning headaches during the
last several months prior to my diagnosis. |
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While surgery was an
option, it seems it really only solves the problem in a minority of cases. The recommended
solution was the use of a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) Unit. Basically, a
breathing mask is placed over the nose and a constant stream of air keeps the throat open.
I don't understand the dynamics, but the pressure also makes it awkward to open your
mouth, which forces you to breathe through your nose. It can be awkward to sleep
at times due to the mask and air hose, but it certainly beats the alternatives. |
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The one I use at home |
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The one I use for travel |
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If you're interested in
reading more about it, check out the links below. |
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