Signs You May Have Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is characterized by a closing of the airway which stops the person from breathing. When their body is not getting the air that it needs, people with sleep apnea tend to startle themselves awake which opens their airway and allows them to start breathing again. This process happens repeatedly throughout the night. Sleep apnea is a dangerous disorder because it can lead to even more serious health issues. Sleep apnea can lead to conditions such as heart problems, liver problems, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, daytime fatigue, and more. That is why it is vital to diagnose and treat sleep apnea if you have it.

Five to ten percent of adults in the United States have sleep apnea, but this condition often goes undiagnosed. You should always consult with your doctor to be officially diagnosed and treated for sleep apnea. However, if you think you or someone you know might have sleep apnea here are some symptoms you can look for.

What are the Signs of Sleep Apnea?

There are several things to watch out for that could be signs of sleep apnea.

• Chronic Snoring – Snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea. Snoring is produced by vibrations in your respiratory system, which may be the result of partial blockages or obstructions in your airway.
• Pauses in Breathing During Sleep – Sleep apnea is defined as a disorder causes you to stop breathing during sleep. If you notice that this is happening to you or someone you know, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
• Frequent Headaches – Headaches can occur when a person does not get enough oxygen to their brain. If you have sleep apnea, your breathing is stopping while you sleep. This symptom of sleep apnea could result in lower than normal amounts of oxygen to your brain, and you could experience headaches as a result.
• Excessive Sleepiness and Moodiness – People who have sleep apnea wake multiple times during sleep, so they often experience excessive tiredness during the daytime. They can also experience moodiness or depression because they lack quality sleep.

These are just some of the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor right away.

How You Can Treat Sleep Apnea

There are a few different ways to treat sleep apnea, but the most common way is by using a CPAP machine. A CPAP machine is something a person wears at night while they are sleeping. This machine delivers pressurized air through the use of a mask, tubing, air filters, and a humidifier. The pressurized air ensures that the person’s airway will not become obstructed during sleep. To fully treat sleep apnea,  a CPAP machine must be used every night.

Your first step toward getting a CPAP machine is to be diagnosed with sleep apnea by a doctor. The doctor will probably have you do an overnight sleep study to observe your sleep and the issues you may be having. Once you are diagnosed with sleep apnea you will work with your doctor to figure out what air pressure you need from a CPAP so that the machine can effectively work to treat your sleep apnea. A technician will measure your body’s response to different air pressure to determine the appropriate pressure level.

Cleaning Your CPAP Machine

When used correctly, your CPAP machine is something you use every night to treat your sleep apnea. This means your CPAP machine will easily collect germs and bacteria. Also, if your CPAP machine has a humidifier, it is more likely to grow mold and bacteria. You do not want to be breathing in germs, bacteria, and mold every night, so it is imperative that you clean your CPAP machine regularly.

Cleaning your CPAP machine is easy if you have a CPAP cleaning device like VirtuCLEAN. Instead of cleaning each piece by hand, VirtuCLEAN will clean your CPAP machine for you. All you have to do is attach your CPAP machine to the VirtuCLEAN device, put your CPAP mask in the VirtuCLEAN bag, and turn on your VituCLEAN machine. The VirtuCLEAN CPAP cleaning device will clean your machine in just 30 minutes. Once the cleaning process is complete VirtuCLEAN will turn itself off, so you don’t have to worry about anything.

Failing to clean your CPAP machine regularly, can lead to a sore throat, airway irritation, skin irritation, respiratory infection, and more. The easy way to avoid getting sick is to use the VirtuCLEAN CPAP cleaning device. You can learn more about this CPAP cleaner right here.