If you have sleep apnea, you are probably already aware that you are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, and daytime sleepiness. There is also an increased risk of work related and driving accidents associated with this disease. If you suspect that you have sleep apnea, either because of extreme tiredness or loud snoring accompanied by cessation in breathing (this will most likely only be detected by a bed or room mate, there are three things you should do.
1. Ask your doctor to refer you to a sleep study. If you have apnea, the only real way to diagnose the disease is to have a sleep study. Lab technicians will monitor you during sleep to determine if you are experiencing apneic events.
2. Use the equipment prescribed. There is no cure for sleep apnea. If you have the disease you will most likely be prescribed a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, or a dental device. Over time, many users become lax in their use of this equipment. As the machine or the dental device only prevent apneas from occurring while being used. If you don't use them, the apneas continue unabated.
3. Lose weight. This is most suggested medical advice. If you overweight you are much more likely to suffer from sleeping disorders, in addition to many other diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, just to name a few. So losing weight will help you in a myriad of ways.
Although apnea can have serious repercussions over the long term, these can most easily be prevented by the use of a sleep apnea machine.
If you want additional information about sleep apnea...
You can find a wealth of FREE information about apnea, sleeping disorders, and sleep apnea machines at the sleep apnea source information website.
There is a wealth of information about sleep apnea at: http://sleepapneasource.com