| I'm not getting enough sleep. I've had sleep tests, but do not meet the minimum requirment for sleep apnea. Dr Shapira response: |
This is a common problem in younger healthier patients and female patients in particular. When the original definitions for Sleep Apnea and Hypopnea were developed only old obese men were looked at. It is not uncommon for women to have UARS or upper airway resistance syndrome, or disturbed sleep from sleep disordered breathing that does not meet the definitions for sleep apnea.
This is frequently as little as 1/10 of 1 % of a drop in oxygen saturation. This may be why you "do not meet the minimum requirment for sleep apnea." There are many other possible scenarios for disturbed sleep as including restlesss legs, bruxism, sleep phase disorders and Alpha intrusion into Delta Sleep.
This is frequently an insurance problem, ie treatment of sleep disordered breathing with an oral appliance or CPAP might vastly improve your quality of life, health status, longevity and ability to function and enjoy life but you do not qualify for insurancce benefits.
I advise patients to follow thru with treatment to improve their life if they can budget it into their life.