There is a disease that doesn’t hurt you.
Doesn’t give you a fever.
Doesn’t make you cough.
But every night, it can put your body into a state of “alarm” dozens, even hundreds of times.
The disease is called obstructive sleep apnea, meaning sleep apnea due to airway obstruction. This is the most common form.
Many people often wonder:
– “Why do you still feel tired after sleeping 7-8 hours?”
– “Why do you wake up in the morning with a heavy head?”
– “Why do I get sleepy, irritable, and have difficulty concentrating during the day?”
– “Why is blood pressure still high even though I take medicine?”
– “Why does my husband/wife keep complaining that I snore like a chainsaw?”
And a lot of people answered simply:
“Probably stress.”
“Probably because I’m old.”
“Probably because I work too much.”
“Probably because I didn’t sleep deeply.”
But sometimes the problem isn’t that you don’t get enough sleep.
It’s that the body doesn’t really rest because the brain doesn’t have enough oxygen.
In obstructive sleep apnea, the airways may narrow or become blocked during sleep. At that time, the flow of air into the lungs is temporarily reduced or stopped. Oxygen may drop. The brain realizes there is a problem and very briefly wakes the body so you can breathe again.
You may not remember those “awake” times.
But the body suffers the consequences.
Sleep is fragmented.
The brain cannot enter deep sleep stages consistently.
It’s like a phone that’s been plugged in all night, but the power keeps flickering.
When I woke up in the morning, the battery should have been 100%.
But actually it’s only 40%.
This is why sleep apnea isn’t just a matter of “snoring bothers the person lying next to you.”
But it’s also a health issue.
If snoring is accompanied by signs such as sleep apnea, heavy breathing, daytime sleepiness, still waking up tired, morning headaches, or difficult-to-control blood pressure, it should be considered carefully.
Sleep apnea is common in people who are overweight or obese.
But people who are not fat can still get it.
Jaw structure, neck, tongue, tonsils, airways, age, gender, family history, alcohol, sedatives, sleeping position… all play important roles.
In some Asians, obesity is rare, but craniofacial structures and airways may still contribute to the risk of sleep apnea.
Women can also experience sleep apnea, especially after menopause.
Over the long term, untreated obstructive sleep apnea can be linked to many health problems, including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, accidents caused by drowsy driving, decreased quality of life, and decreased ability to concentrate.
Not everyone with sleep apnea will have all of these problems.
But this is a condition that deserves recognition and treatment, not just a “sleeping habit.”
So if you’ve read this far and started wondering: “Do I or someone in my family ever have sleep apnea?”
Then the thing to do is talk to your doctor.
Your doctor can ask more about your symptoms, underlying medical conditions, current medications, weight, blood pressure, daytime sleepiness, and decide whether you need a sleep study (measuring your oxygen levels while you sleep).
Sleep study can be done at a sleep center in a hospital, or in some cases at home.
While waiting to be evaluated, some things that may be helpful are:
– Avoid alcohol close to bedtime.
– Avoid sedatives without talking to your doctor.
– Try sleeping on your side if symptoms are worse when lying on your back.
– Lose weight if you are overweight.
– Treat nasal congestion or allergies, if any.
– Keep a more regular sleep schedule.
These are not a substitute for diagnosis and treatment, but can be a good first step.
And something very important: If you are so sleepy that you fall asleep while driving, working, or taking care of your children, consider this a sign that you need to be evaluated early.
– Don’t try to “bear with it.”
– Don’t drive when you’re too sleepy.
Sleep apnea is not something to be ashamed of.
Nor is it a sign that you are “old,” “weak,” or “lacking discipline.”
It is a real medical problem.
And after being diagnosed and treated, many of my patients shared: “I feel much better. I have more energy and am not as lethargic as before.”
What do you think about these shares? Please comment to let me know.
Please share if you find it useful!
Dr. Christina Nguyen
Phoenix Medical Academy
Note: This article is for public health education purposes only and is not a substitute for direct examination and consultation with a doctor. You should discuss specifically with your doctor for specific advice and instructions for your case.
