Sleep-Related Issues: What you Need to Know
According to statistics, nearly 3 million Australian people suffer from an obstructive sleep disorder, known as sleep apnoea and this condition can have a detrimental effect on a person’s life. Losing sleep on a continual basis can be the outset of other medical issues, and many people are unaware that they have this problem, and tend to always feel tired and irritable, losing the ability to concentrate.
Closing of the airways
When a person is sleeping, if the walls of the airways touch, they block the oxygen supply and the person will automatically wake up, which is nature’s defence in making you aware that you no oxygen supply. The person will just go back to sleep, and this could occur 5-6 times a night, and the person does not remember this in the morning and carries on with their normal routine, yet being deprived of sound sleep takes its toll, and before long, the sufferer is feeling fatigued and this leads to irritability and the inability to focus on any one thing. If you think you have a sleep disorder, you should have a sleep apnoea test, which is available at major chemists, and this will tell the doctor whether you suffer from a sleep disorder.
Loud Snoring
Snoring is connected to sleep apnoea; indeed, loud snoring often accompanies sleep apnoea and often a treatment to stop the snoring will also resolve the sleep disorder. If you sleep with your partner, simply ask him or her whether you are sleeping soundly – if you are awaking up regularly during the night, you can be sure your partner would notice this – and if you sleep alone, you may have to spend a night at a sleep centre, where medical professionals can observe your sleep behaviours.
Undiagnosed Sleep Disorder
Sadly for many people, the cause of their lack of sleep remains a mystery and they put the lack of energy down to ageing, which does nothing to resolve the issue. This situation usually occurs with a person who sleeps alone, as a partner would alert you after a while, and as the sleep interruptions happen quickly, they go undetected.
CPAP Machines
Constant Positive Airways Pressure (CPAP) can be the solution for many people, and the CPAP machine is light, easy to use, and it provides that essential air pressure that prevents the airways from closing. The user wears a CPAP mask, which might cover the mouth and nose, or just the nose – there are several designs to try – and the machine is plugged into a wall socket and it maintains the air pressure in your airways while sleeping, thus allowing you to enjoy a good night’s sleep.
If you suspect you are losing sleep, take a sleep apnoea test and investigate the results, which might resolve the issue.
