At CPAP Central, we believe that the key to staying CPAP compliant is being armed with knowledge about sleep apnea. Unfortunately, there are many harmful myths out there that can keep people from remaining compliant. Here are a few:
Myth #1: All people who snore have sleep apnea.
While loud snoring can be a good indication of sleep apnea, there are millions of Americans who snore that do not have sleep apnea. Snoring can mean you may have sleep apnea, but a greater indication is if that snoring is accompanied with gasping or suddenly waking up feeling short of breath. If you do snore loudly, though, you should consult your doctor.
Myth #2: All people with sleep apnea snore
Just as it is true that not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, it is also true that not everyone with sleep apnea snores. There are two common types of sleep apnea: Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Central Sleep Apnea. Snoring is more common in obstructive sleep apnea, which causes the throat muscles to relax.
Myth #3: Only men get sleep apnea
While men tend to be the larger demographic of CPAP users, women can have sleep apnea as well. It’s estimated that close to 2 to 4 percent of middle-aged women have the condition. Because of this, it often goes undiagnosed in women, especially because some of the symptoms of sleep apnea can mimic those of menopause, including sleep problems and weight gain. Women may also develop sleep apnea during pregnancy.
Myth #4: I’m not old enough to have sleep apnea
It’s true that sleep apnea tends to develop in middle-age, but even children can be diagnosed with it. If you’ve struggled with your weight, you’re at a higher risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea earlier in life.
Myth #5: Compliance isn’t that big of a deal
Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to extreme daytime drowsiness, which can cause accidents behind the wheel and at work. It can also damage your cardiovascular system, which can lead to premature death.
CPAP Central is here to help you stay compliant. You don’t have to live with the repercussions of sleep apnea. You can find everything you need to treat it in our online catalog—you don’t even need a prescription for some of our CPAP masks!