The grind of daily life has an energy-zapping effect on most of us. But if you’re constantly falling asleep at your desk—or any time you sit down for that matter—it may be something more than general fatigue.
Do you experience any of the following?
You may be suffering from sleep apnea—and you should take it very seriously. The condition can be life-threatening.
Sleep apnea is when tissue in the back of the throat collapses and blocks your airway. This decreases the amount of oxygen delivered to all of the organs in your body—including your heart and brain. Sleep apnea can stop you from breathing for short periods of time, which causes you to wake up. It can happen quickly and you may not even know you’ve been waking up.
The craziest part: It can happen hundreds of times a night. With so much interrupted sleep, you may wake up in the morning feeling sluggish and exhausted.
You should talk with your dentist and doctor about your symptoms. Usually you’ll undergo an overnight sleep study where your brain waves, heart beat and breathing are charted. Once diagnosed, you’ll get a recommendation for treatment methods, including a special breathing mask to wear at night and upper airway surgery.
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