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It is estimated that nearly 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. Of those millions, only about 20% of them seek out treatment.
While sleep apnea can affect anyone, male patients make up ⅔ of reported cases. With the danger high for men, it’s important to know the risks and why you should get help from our expert team.
Symptoms
- General Fatigue – Everyone has sleepy days. But constant, overwhelming fatigue is a common symptom of sleep apnea in men. Irregular breathing patterns during the night can leave you feeling exhausted during the day.
- Loud Snoring – Sleep apnea related snoring is loud, persistent and irregular. You may snore so loudly that you wake yourself up, if your sleeping partner doesn’t wake you first. Silent moments aren’t necessarily any better, as they mean you’re not breathing at all.
- Morning Headaches – If you find yourself experiencing intense headaches in the morning that fade away as they day goes on, you may be suffering from sleep apnea. As you struggle to breathe during the night, your brain can become starved for oxygen, resulting in a headache. As you resume your normal breathing patterns during the day, your oxygen levels increase and the pain goes away.
Risky Business
Now that we all know some of the symptoms of sleep apnea, it may seem like a minor inconvenience at most. Here are a few more heavy hitting ways that sleep apnea can impact your health.
- Hypoxia at night is known to cause a decreased testosterone level, low sperm count, and erectile dysfunction.
- Sleep apnea can increase blood pressure and your risk of heart disease, the number one cause of death for men in the United States.
- More than 40 percent of people with obstructive OSA had some depressive symptoms.
None of these dangerous effects should be slept on. Men of every age, regardless of their health can experience the symptoms of sleep apnea and should consult with their medical professional if they think something may be wrong. Contact our office to schedule your next appointment.
