Counter Sleep-disordered breathing with CPAP therapy! Consult your doctor today!

I did not know I was a bad snorer for the first ten years of my adult life. I lived alone, had a demanding job, and never found time for myself to figure out if there was something wrong with me. As I grew older, I noticed that I was increasingly tired even after a full night’s rest. Although I mostly blamed it on stress at work, but as my fatigued mornings became increasingly commonplace, I switched on the coffee switch to make things better. 

Coffee helped me temporarily, but as days went on, I would feel an increasing need to take a nap in the afternoons. With the lockdown in place, I found a way to sneak in an afternoon nap, but I still felt tired when I woke up the next morning. I kept going this way until, one day, I had a friend over for the night.

Sleep-disordered breathing – a relatively unknown condition

Most individuals suffering from sleep-disordered breathing do not know that they have a problem—or that substantial morbidity is involved without treating that condition. I did not know I had that problem until my friend woke me up in the middle of the night, complaining that I was snoring so loud that she could hear it in the next room and would groan or moan if I did not snore for a bit. I felt embarrassed, but on my friend’s suggestion, I decided to meet a doctor and see what I could do about this. Although I had no idea what the doctor would do to help me, I did not know that snoring was a tell-tale sign of a potentially dangerous set of conditions called sleep-disordered breathing. 

Diagnosing Sleep-disordered breathing

I was wondering how the doctor would diagnose my condition. Would they put something in my throat to check? How would it work? It turns out that my anxiety about the diagnosis method was totally uncalled for.

The doctor asked me a couple of questions about my routine and recommended a “sleep study”. Also called Polysomnography, a sleep study is a comprehensive test that detects various sleep disorders. I was asked to reach the sleep center to stay overnight for the test.

What happens in a sleep test? Sleep technicians attach electrodes to your head, chest, and legs to record your brain waves, your oxygen levels and your various sleep cycles. This is a painless, non-invasive test in which all you do is sleep with a bunch of electrodes connected to your body. It took me an hour to fall asleep, but I did eventually fall asleep in the end.

Why is a sleep test done?

Sleep tests are typically done to diagnose one or more of the following disorders:

• Sleep apnea – a disorder in which you stop breathing for a moment, wake up, breathe and fall asleep again in cycles.

• Limb movement disorder –Involuntary flexing of legs while sleeping. This is also called restless legs syndrome

• Narcolepsy – daytime sleepiness

• REM Sleep behaviour disorder – Acting out dreams as you sleep

• Unexplained insomnia –Having trouble staying asleep

What does the test monitor?

A sleep test monitors the following parameters throughout the night:

• Heart rate

• Blood oxygen level

• Body movement and limb movement

• Snoring

• Eye movement

• Brain waves

How long does the test take?

A sleep test is performed overnight. You reach the sleep centre in the evening and stay there throughout the night. Technicians monitor you all night, and you get your results the next day.

The diagnosis

My doctor told me that I have obstructive sleep apnea – a dangerous condition that can lead to life-threatening diseases such as hypertension and type II diabetes! I was anxious and scared because I was told that the problem was not curable. However, he then told me that devices such as CPAP or Constant Positive Airway Pressure can easily address this condition.

After my discussion, the doctor had me try on a CPAP machine—a device that blows air into your nostrils to keep your airways open throughout the night. It felt a bit weird using the device as it felt like someone was blowing air into my nostrils, but the doctor assured me that once I started using it, I won’t sleep without turning it on for the night.

The cure – and the best morning I’ve had in years!

I got my device from the doctor, with warranty and spares handled by Sanrai—an innovative international medical products distributor. A technician from Sanrai was available at the doctor’s clinic to give me a demonstration of the device and explain how to use, clean, and maintain it. Most of it involved ensuring that I kept it clean as I was breathing from it.

Feeling a decade younger!

I slept through the night and called my friend over to check if I was snoring. When I got up, she was still asleep! Success! I felt a bit more energetic than usual and went through my day without feeling sleepy all through. As I got used to sleeping with the mask on, I felt that I was more focused, I could remember things better and I was so full of energy that I could hop and skip to work!

I met my doctor for my second appointment after two weeks of using the CPAP device, and he told me that my dark circles had vanished, and I seemed to be happier and full of energy. I could not agree more! I was so happy that I had finally slept better after nearly a decade! 

Final thoughts

CPAP has turned my life around and made me feel like I am a better person overall! You cannot even imagine the number of ways in which CPAP transformed my life. Coffee—an integral part of my day, is now optional. I feel happier, healthier and less anxious. What is better is that I look better, feel better and am less irritable than I used to be.

If you feel you woke up on the wrong side of the bed every night, get a sleep study. You just might have sleep apnea! Take my word for it, this device will transform your life!

Also, Read- An Overview On Sleep Apnea - Causes & Symptoms