Sleep apnea is a chronic sleep disorder that can severely impact the quality of your sleep and by association the quality of your life. The most common form of this sleep disorder is obstructive sleep apnea. 

Someone with obstructive sleep apnea can briefly wake up, gasping for air, up to 30 to 60 times every hour. Without treatment, sleep apnea increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and dementia. 

Sleep apnea is far more common than many people realize. Indeed, it is believed that around 80% of cases go undiagnosed, placing these people at a higher risk of developing life-threatening health conditions. …

Although obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a potentially serious condition, up to 20 percent of the global population suffers from its symptoms without getting a clear diagnosis. Some may believe their symptoms are not a problem, not severe enough to warrant attention. 

However, it is important to remember that the long-term effects of sleep apnea can be associated with serious health risks. This is why knowing the most common obstructive sleep apnea signs is crucial – as OSA is very treatable. 

The checklist outlined here has been designed to provide you with an additional level of clarity and insight. …

It can be an all-too-familiar tale. You wake up during the night with the urge to urinate. It may happen more than once in the night. It can be frustrating as your sleep is disturbed — and you may have trouble falling asleep again. In the morning, you’re tired and frustrated.  

Many of us consider these nocturnal bathroom trips to be increasing age or drinking too much in the lead-up to bedtime. However, a sleep disorder may also be causing your need to urinate during the night. Recent research points to a connection between nocturia and sleep apnea….

Without effective treatment, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke. The disorder is often addressed with lifestyle changes or CPAP therapy, which are generally effective in reducing the symptoms.
However, in those instances where less invasive treatments fail to reduce your symptoms, your healthcare provider may discuss surgical options with you.
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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition which causes the airways to narrow during the overnight hours. As a result, it can be difficult for the body to obtain the oxygen that it requires to function properly.

Sleep apnea has three levels of severity (mild, moderate or severe) and this is based upon the number of “apnea” episodes occurring each hour – which are pauses in breathing….

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If you have sleep apnea, there’s a good chance you also have Type 2 diabetes – and being overweight is a risk factor for both conditions. With diabetes, it’s important to keep blood sugar (glucose) levels under control – or risk damaging inflammation to vital blood vessels, nerves and organs.

A fingerstick has long been the traditional method to monitor blood sugar levels for diabetics. However, the advent of CGM for diabetes means you can now continuously monitor glucose levels rather than rely on a single fixed reading from a fingerstick. …

A continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP device is recognized as the best method for controlling obstructive sleep apnea. These devices work by delivering air under a set pressure to the nose and/or mouth during sleep and this pressurized air forces the air passage to remain open and unobstructed during sleep.

However, as this necessitates wearing a mask and tubing, it can be difficult to become accustomed to. Over time, a sleep apnea sufferer learns how to get used to a CPAP machine – but it takes patience….

There can be a higher risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) for those people with a larger neck size. This is, of course, not always the case but it can play a role if any form of sleep apnea is suspected.

Sleep experts believe that any neck circumference greater than 17 inches for males — or 16 inches for females — can play a role in the onset of obstructive sleep apnea. …

Anyone who has grappled with the ongoing effects of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is already aware that periods of nasal congestion can lead to even more frustration.

Even though these two conditions are not necessarily related, when you suffer from both it can certainly make sleep more difficult. …