How to treat Sleep Apnea
I used to think my snoring was normal since I have been snoring for as long as I can remember. My girlfriend would complain often about her migraine headaches however I never put two and two together until these two events:
- A massage therapist suggested that the root cause of her tension headaches were related to knots found in her neck and shoulders
- She read in a magazine <source unknown> that women that sleep with men that snore are more prone to developing hearing loss and snoring [by their partner] could cause tension headaches!
I decided to get checked out for sleep apnea. I’m not overweight; I’m 5′6, 155 lbs and I go to the gym about 3 times a week. However I was diagnosed with minor sleep apnea after taking a home test from the Kaiser sleep lab.
The options were to go with a CPAP machine or to get surgery. I originally wanted to get surgery however the sleep lab technician quickly talked me out of it. Why? The procedure had a 50% success rate at best and there have been some strange side effects recorded (side effects could occur even if the surgery is not successful). I chose CPAP since it wasn’t permanent.
Like many people I found it extremely difficult to sleep with the CPAP mask and machine in the beginning. I’d say it took about 5 months to really get used to the whole setup, but the results are well worth it.
Now after about a year with CPAP I have noticed the following:
- It seems like I’m getting more restful sleep in a shorter amount of time
- I take less/shorter nap
- [and the most important] My girlfriend no longer has tension headaches on a daily basis!
I would say #3 is the most important reason to try out CPAP if you are diagnosed with sleep apnea. If not for yourself, do it for your partner. It’s not permanent like surgery, and if you have the proper insurance (durable medical equipment) you may only pay about 20% of the retail price.