Patients & Families

Do you have trouble remembering the last time you woke up feeling rested and refreshed? Do you snore? If so, chances are you’re not getting the quality sleep you need. Snoring and sleepiness can mean more than just feeling drowsy during the day. They may be signs of a serious sleep disorder called sleep apnea.

 

The most common form of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when your throat relaxes during sleep and partially or completely blocks your airway. You may snore or stop breathing for several seconds, until your brain triggers a wake-up response and you gasp for air. This can happen hundreds of times a night, though you won’t usually remember waking up.

 

Left untreated, sleep apnea can have long-term negative effects on your heart,
metabolism and overall health. Read on to learn the signs of sleep apnea, how to know if you are at risk, what to do to get help, and what to expect from treatment.

Sleep apnea can affect anyone. It can affect people who are fit or overweight, old or young, male or female. It can even affect children. A few of the common symptoms are:

• Loud snoring
• Lack of energy
• Daytime sleepiness
• Morning headaches
• High blood pressure
• Depression
• A partner or family member says you stop breathing during sleep

 

Sound familiar? Visit our sleep apnea community and take a short quiz to find out if you are at risk and read more about the symptoms of sleep apnea. You will be taken to a separate site at WakeUpToSleep.com.

 

The importance of treating sleep apnea

Sleep apnea can be a life-threatening disorder. Left untreated, it can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, heart disease, obesity and stroke. The constant tiredness associated with sleep apnea also puts you at higher risk for accidents, including auto accidents. The good news is that with treatment, you can reduce these risks and feel more energetic.

Learn more about the risks of untreated sleep apnea at www.WakeUpToSleep.com.

If you think you or someone you know might have sleep apnea, it’s important that you talk to a doctor or health care professional. Be sure to let your doctor know if any of the following apply to you:

• I’ve been told that I stop breathing during sleep.
• My family tells me I snore.
• I’m tired all day even after a full night’s sleep.
• I have no energy.
• I frequently wake up with a headache.
• I nap anytime and anywhere I can.

How do I get diagnosed?

A simple, painless sleep test is required for a sleep apnea diagnosis. To get a sleep test, your doctor must recommend it with a prescription or referral. Depending on your health background and insurance plan, your doctor may recommend either a home test or an overnight test in a sleep center.

 

Visit our sleep apnea community, WakeUpToSleep.com, to learn more about sleep apnea test options.

 

You can also use the Wake Up to Sleep Sleep Center Locator to find a sleep center near you.

 

We’ve talked about the risks of untreated sleep apnea – heart disease, diabetes, obesity, auto accidents and more. Fortunately, effective treatment can lower these risks and also help you feel better and more energetic.

 

If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, your doctor will discuss the various treatment options available to you. Below are three common treatments:

Positive airway pressure therapy (often called CPAP)	Mandibular repositioning device (MRD)	Surgery
This is generally regarded as the gold standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnea ... and there’s no need for surgery..	An MRD is a dental device, custom-fitted to hold your jaw in a forward position to keep the airway from closing.	Surgical procedures can be used to treat sleep apnea, but as with all surgeries, there are associated risks.

 

Getting the right treatment

There are many different kinds of treatment products available, and the products you use can make a big difference in how comfortable you feel with therapy. Talk to your doctor or medical equipment supplier about the best products for you.

 

ResMed offers a range of comfortable, high quality and stylish products to suit your lifestyle. Take a look at our product pages for the latest, most comfortable masks, user-friendly machines and personalization options including machine skins.

 

Starting CPAP? Visit WakeUpToSleep.com to download our rebate coupon for $50 off a ResMed mask and device system.

 

 

If you have sleep apnea, effective treatment can reduce your health risks, improve your energy and help you feel more like yourself again. By choosing to use your sleep apnea treatment regularly, you are making an important decision to take control of your health, your well-being and your life.

 

Living with sleep apnea treatment can be an adjustment. To help you on your journey to healthy sleep, we encourage you to join our sleep apnea community, Wake Up To Sleep, and interact with real people like you who are living better lives today as a result of successful sleep apnea treatment.

 

At Wake Up To Sleep, you can …

• Get one-on-one advice and support from a personal sleep coach
• Read true stories of people who have experienced what you’re going through
• Take advantage of a $50 rebate coupon for a ResMed mask and device system
• Register your products
• Set up accessory replacement reminders

Join our community today.