Did you know there are currently over 10 million cases of undiagnosed sleep apnea in the United States? If those with the condition go untreated, they are facing a huge list of additional diagnoses including heart attack, stroke, obesity, diabetes, and heart failure.

 

Today, CPAPCentral.com has provided three quick and easy ways to screen yourself at home for sleep apnea. If these tests come up positive for you or a loved one, then you should set up an appointment with your physician as soon as you can!

 

1 – The Epworth Sleepiness Scale

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale was developed in 1990 by Dr. Murray Johns. It typically takes less than 3 minutes to complete, and evaluates your daytime sleepiness in order to determine how likely you are to have a sleep disorder. Take the Epworth Sleepiness Scale Test Now.

 

2 – The STOP BANG Questionnaire

STOP BANG stands for Snoring, Tiredness during the daytime, Observed apnea, Pressure (high blood pressure), Body mass index, Age, Neck circumference and Gender. The questionnaire evaluates whether you have an obstruction in your airway that might be contributing to obstructive sleep apnea. Take the STOP BANG Questionnaire now.

 

3 – Know how to interpret your health tracker

If you already own a health tracker such as a FitBit, certain models can record your movement during the night, including how often you wake up. If it starts to indicate restless nights, this could be a sign that something more serious is going on. The National Sleep Foundation has more information on how to interpret what your wearables are telling you.

 

After trying out these three at-home screenings, be sure to follow their advice and seek consultation from your family doctor or a local sleep specialist. If you discover that you are indeed suffering from sleep apnea, see CPAPCentral.com for all the supplies you need to address it!

 

When it comes to sleep apnea, the proverbial canary in the coal mine is usually the bed partner. If you’ve been having marital problems because your spouse keeps you up all night with their constant snoring, it might be time to have them tested for sleep apnea.

 

However, people can be reluctant to have sleep tests done for a variety of reasons. Maybe they think their partner is overreacting. Maybe they’re scared of what they will find out. Whatever the reason is, CPAPCentral.com is here with some tips on convincing your partner to get a sleep test:

 

Record them – For some people, it is hard to believe something without seeing it. Taking a video or audio recording of a loved one during sleep may be the best proof they need to believe, and to be compelled to, schedule a sleep test. This recording may also be helpful when talking with a doctor about their sleep concerns.

 

Use a Health Tracker—There are a number of smart watches out there that can record internal data, including how many times a person woke up during the night and what their heart rate was during those incidences. While your partner may laugh at the external symptom of snoring, they may be a little more somber if they have proof that something is going on internally. After all, it’s not good to have the heart rate jump suddenly from a resting BPM.

 

Take out a life insurance policy— Explain to your partner that if they aren’t going to take their health seriously, you need to prepare for a life without them. While this may be a dramatic response, the truth is that sleep apnea could very well have drastic consequences if untreated. Putting it in terms of life and death might be enough to shake them up and take their health seriously.

 

When you do finally convince your partner to have their sleep test done, contact the experts at CPAPCentral.com. We can also help you get any equipment you may need after the test results come in.

S

 

Sleep apnea can occur in anyone, from young children to star athletes. Certain conditions can make you more predisposed to developing it—including smoking. Today, CPAPCentral.com is going to explore the connections between smoking and sleep apnea:

 

The connection between smoking and sleep apnea.

 

In the United States, about 18% of the population smokes. When you look at those with sleep apnea, that number almost doubles to 35%.

 

This may be due to how smoking affects your upper airways. It causes inflammation, which in turn makes the nose, throat and uvula swell. This reduces how much space you have in your airway. Sleep apnea patients with a long history of smoking tend to have more instances throughout the night where they stop breathing. This causes their symptoms and condition to be much more severe.

 

Increased Health Risks.

 

Smoking not only increases sleep apnea severity, it also escalates your chances of developing a condition that results from not being CPAP-compliant. For example:

 

•         Approximately 20% of heart-related deaths in the United States are due to smoking. Those with sleep apnea have a 2-3 time higher chance of cardiovascular disease. Add smoking into the mix, and you’re putting serious pressure on your heart.

 

•         Smoking also decreases your tolerance for physical activity, leading to weight gain. Sleep apnea can compound this issue, since obesity is one of the side effects of leaving it untreated.

 

•         Finally, those who smoke are also putting themselves at risk of having a stroke. Not treating your sleep apnea can increase this further.

 

If you’re a smoker, we encourage you to quit tobacco for good. Even if you don’t have sleep apnea, the effects on your health are not worth it. For those who have sleep apnea, we’re here to help you stay compliant. Contact us today if you need your CPAP mask or other CPAP supplies replaced.

 

 

From the never-ending daytime drowsiness to the complaints of bed partners, sleep apnea can have a serious impact on your day-to-day life. It can also harm your health in the long term with conditions such as hypertension, obesity and heart disease.

 

Today, however, CPAPCentral.com is going to touch on three side effects few people think about—and hopefully encourage you to be tested for sleep apnea, if you haven’t been already.

 

1)      Depression.

 

Many times, those who live with obstructive sleep apnea are often diagnosed with depression first. But did you know that depression is a side effect of this sleep disorder? Not getting a proper night’s rest can affect your mental health, so if you or a loved one are living with depression, talk with a doctor about your sleeping habits to rule out obstructive sleep apnea as a trigger.

 

2)      Memory problems.

 

It might be funny to make jokes about how you’re getting old, but it could be a symptom of a larger problem. Obstructive sleep apnea can cause difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, slow reaction times and other memory issues. If you find yourself having issues remembering things, it might be time to schedule a sleep test.

 

3)      Social impact.

 

Believe it or not, how much sleep you get can affect your relationships. Those living with sleep apnea are less likely to attend social events. When was the last time you turned down an invitation because you were just too tired? The loud snoring can also impact your relationship with your significant other, especially if you share a bed at night.

 

If you or a loved one are exhibiting these symptoms, it may be time to seek medical help. Your doctor may ask you to take a sleep test, and if you do test positive for sleep apnea, we’re here to help! CPAPCentral.com can connect you to all the supplies you need to combat this condition.