Snoring & Trouble Sleeping? Seek Help
Many people have sleeping problems such as snoring, waking up during the night, falling asleep during the day, and consistently feeling tired. If these symptoms continue, do not ignore them–get help. They could be a sign of a disorder.
Two years ago Maggie Smith started snoring and having trouble sleeping. She did not worry about it until it progressively got worse. She started waking up during the night, and was short of breath. She finally visited the Lourdes Sleep Disorders Center, and the doctors found that she has sleep apnea.
This is a common disorder affecting 20% of the adult population, and it can cause long-term harm if left untreated. “It causes high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. That’s an unusual thing to understand because we think snoring is normal– but it’s not,” says Dr. Matthew Abraham. Snoring results from constricted airways and is one of the first signs of sleep apnea.
One popular way to treat sleep apnea is to use a c-pap mask, which helps keep your airways open. Treatments like these are only found through a doctor, so it is best to seek professional help instead of trying to treat yourself.
Maggie says her visit to the center changed her life. “I sleep through the night, and have more energy during the daytime.”