What condition only affects sufferers when they sleep, yet has the power to ruin their entire day? The answer is sleep apnea. Even though it’s only noticeable when someone sleeps, the effects aren’t limited to the hours when someone is in bed. Read on to learn how sleep apnea has a negative affect on your waking hours, and what you can do about it.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person’s breathing repeatedly stops and starts during his or her sleep. One of the signs of sleep apnea is very loud snoring.
This condition affects the respiratory system. However, all of the body’s systems are interconnected. So, it should come as no surprise that what impacts one system will impact other systems.
The Effects of Sleep Apnea during the Day
You might not notice that you have sleep apnea. But, you’ll certainly feel the effects the next day.
Sleep apnea leads to fatigue during the daytime. Because your sleep is interrupted at night, you don’t wake up feeling well-rested. You might feel drowsy or sleepy during the day. In fact, you might even fall asleep at work or worse, while driving.
While it might seem like a more minor problem, sleep apnea plays a role in your mood, too. People who suffer from sleep apnea often experience depression or moodiness. It makes sense – when you don’t get enough sleep, it’s hard to have a positive outlook on life.
And sleep apnea doesn’t just affect the person who suffers from the condition. Your family members can feel its effects, too. Your snoring is loud enough to keep your spouse or partner awake at night, and it might even be audible in other rooms of the house. The other people in your household are sleep-deprived, too. They’re probably also moody and quick-tempered, and it’s taking a toll on your relationship.
Houston Sinus & Allergy: Your Sleep Apnea Experts
Are you sick of the way sleep apnea is ruining your day and the rest of your life? Contact Houston Sinus & Allergy today.
At Houston Sinus & Allergy, we assess patients for the severity of their condition, and determine a treatment that will allow for a restful sleep. Learn about the treatments we provide that have helped countless patients with sleep apnea, or book an assessment with our experienced ENT, Dr. Nguyen, and start sleeping well again.
