Daytime sleepiness: A sign of sleep apnea

Ever fall asleep while working, watching TV or even driving during the day? What thoughts come to mind when this happens? “I didn’t get enough sleep the night before.” Or maybe, “I took some medicine this morning that causes drowsiness.” Those could be valid reasons for feeling the occasional daytime sleepiness. However, if you’re experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness, it could be a sign of a sleep disorder like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

What causes OSA and how can it affect me?

OSA is caused when your airway is obstructed, which pauses your breathing throughout the night. Your sleep may be disrupted, and the result is you wake up feeling drowsy and low on energy. When left untreated, OSA can increase the risk of more serious health problems like high blood pressure and even heart failure.¹

How is OSA diagnosed?

If you do feel very drowsy during the day on a regular basis despite no real change in your daytime habits or schedule, it’s time to talk to your doctor. You can discuss your risk factors for OSA, additional signs of OSA that you may be experiencing, and next steps for diagnosis and treatment of OSA.

Your doctor will likely refer you to a sleep specialist, who may suggest doing an overnight sleep study that measures your eye and leg movements and records your brain waves, the oxygen level in your blood, and your heart rate and breathing during sleep. Or they may suggest you can do sleep apnea testing at home.

How is OSA treated?

If you are diagnosed with OSA, your doctor will work with you to recommend the course that best suits your specific sleep needs and your personal comfort level. Treatment may include lifestyle changes, using oral devices, using positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy or having surgery. The right treatment depends on your individual needs and preferences, so it’s important to discuss your choices with a healthcare provider.

Improve your sleep by taking a sleep test, which can be fast, easy and is covered by many insurance providers.*