Why Deal with Sleep Apnea before the Holidays?

The holidays are nearly upon us and extended time with friends and family is just around the corner. This time of year allows us to maintain and build new traditions while enjoying the company of those we love, but if you suffer from sleep apnea, it may also bring increased anxiety.

Your sleep apnea symptoms may be something those you live with are used to, but if you are expecting visitors or visiting someone else this holiday season, loud snoring and other sleep disruptions may be an issue. This is why it is best to explore your treatment options now, allowing you to find one that is suitable before The Holidays.

To find a sleep apnea physician in your area, please visit our sleep physician locator or call 866.727.6275 today to find a sleep apnea dentist.

Treating Sleep Apnea

There are a number of noninvasive sleep apnea treatments that are both discrete and easy to travel with. Your sleep apnea physician or dentist may recommend thing such as a snore guard which can be worn at night to significantly reduce your sleep apnea symptoms. They may also recommend limiting alcohol intake and making sure to remain active through walks and other forms of exercise that can easily be enjoyed with family and friends.

If you are suffering from sleep apnea, please contact a sleep doctor in your area to schedule your pre-Holiday treatment evaluation.

New Law Focusing on Sleep Apnea and Truck Drivers

As if to underscore the serious health risks posed by sleep apnea, law makers sent a bill to the White House demanding that the Department of Transportation (DOT) pursue full rule-making regarding the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders among truck drivers, even in the midst of the government shutdown.

Until now, the DOT has simply issued guidance regarding sleep apnea and other disorders. This new bill would instead require the DOT to make rules regarding treatment, placing driving limitations on truckers until full sleep is restored.

If you are suffering from sleep apnea, please visit our sleep physician locator or call 866.727.6275 today to find a sleep apnea dentist in your area.

Why This Matters

Legislation acknowledging the dangers of sleep apnea brings needed awareness to this potentially deadly disorder. What’s more, truckers who suffer from sleep apnea are at an increased risk for causing serious accidents that often kill or permanently injure passengers and drivers of smaller vehicles.

Requiring the DOT to pursue regulations is the first step in ensuring truckers who suffer from sleep apnea get the treatment they need to not only protect their own health, but the safety of all those who share the road with them.

For more information about sleep apnea treatment, please contact an experienced sleep apnea doctor in your area today.

Creating a Sleep Diary

A sleep diary is a wonderful tool that your physician can use to diagnose sleep apnea. While sleep diaries are helpful for anyone who may be suffering from sleep apnea, logging information about sleep can be of particular benefit for those who live alone or do not have a partner telling them about sleep irregularities. In any event, your sleep diary can help you determine if you should discuss your sleeping disorder with a medical professional.

If you believe you are suffering from sleep apnea or another sleep disorder, please visit our sleep physician locator or call 866.727.6275 today to find a sleep apnea dentist in your area.

What to Include in Your Sleep Diary

Your sleep diary should be placed next to your bed for easy access. It is best to fill it out each time you wake for absolute accuracy, even if you simply use codes or shorthand, filling in details in the morning.

Include in your sleep diary things such as the number of times you wake up, any breathing irregularities, increased heart rate or anxiety, and daytime symptoms such as dry mouth and sore throat upon waking. It is good to be familiar with the symptoms of sleep apnea, which will allow you to check your observations against common problems caused by this disorder, better enabling you to determine if a sleep professional is necessary.

For more information about sleep apnea symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment, please contact a sleep physician in your area today.

What Does Untreated Sleep Apnea Cost You?

If you suffer from sleep apnea, it is important to be aware of the many tolls this disorder can take. From a physical standpoint, sleep apnea can have serious costs. People who suffer from sleep apnea are more likely to experience excessive daytime fatigue, have memory or concentration problems, undergo severe mood swings, and even be at a higher risk for heart attack, hypertension, and other deadly disorders.

If you are suffering from sleep apnea, please visit our sleep physician locator or call 866.727.6275 today to find a sleep apnea dentist in your area.

Long-Term Impacts

As if the physical costs of sleep apnea were not enough, this common disorder can have many economic impacts as well. The more fatigued and emotionally unstable you are, the less productive you will be at work. This can cost you promotions or even result in job loss.

Equally troubling, your sleep apnea may be causing strains in your relationships, allowing it to have personal costs as well. And all of this is entirely unnecessary when you consider how simple and effective most sleep apnea treatments can be.

To learn more about your sleep apnea treatment options, please contact a sleep apnea physician in your area and schedule a treatment consultation today.