Sleep apnea is an incredibly serious condition that could be dangerous to your health or the health of a loved one. According to your local sleep specialist in Long Island NYC, there are a lot of misconceptions about the symptoms and risk factors for sleep apnea that you should know about. In order to get the most accurate care as quickly as possible, familiarize yourself with these top 5 myths about sleep apnea symptoms and risk before your condition gets worse.
5 Myths About Sleep Apnea Symptoms and Risk
Myth 1: You Can Only Develop Sleep Apnea If You’re Overweight
Sleep apnea can affect anyone who has trouble sleeping due to blocked airways and nasal passageways. The anatomy of one’s face and neck is often a huge contributor to the likelihood of sleep apnea problems, no matter their overall weight. Having an overnight or a problem with bruxism, for example, could also lead to the risk of developing sleep apnea.
Myth 2: You Snore If You Have Sleep Apnea
There is a huge misunderstanding about the relationship between sleep apnea and snoring. While many believe that everyone with sleep apnea snores, there exist plenty of people who don’t. Some of the other common symptoms of sleep apnea, such as hitching breath, temporary loss of breath, and gasping for air are much more telling than whether or not someone snores.
Myth 3: You Have Sleep Apnea If You Snore
Similarly, people always tend to believe that snoring leads to sleep apnea. If you snore, then it must be a surefire sign of this condition, right? Well, people snore for many different reasons. You can snore due to stress, exhaustion, fatigue, or constant weight gain. It’s important to understand that snoring can be a symptom of sleep apnea, but it is not a cause of it.
Myth 4: Children Can’t Get Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is often pictured with someone who is older, or at least in the middle of their life, rather than someone who is very young. While additional breathing problems can develop as you age, this doesn’t mean that only one age group remains susceptible to this dangerous condition. In fact, we see many children as patients we see for sleep apnea at Sleep MD NYC. People of all age groups can be affected by sleep apnea, which is why it is important to schedule regular visits with your sleep doctor.
Myth 5: You Don’t Have Sleep Apnea If You Have No Symptoms
A lot of patients are surprised to learn that they are dealing with sleep apnea because they feel completely fine. Lack of sleep, hitched breathing, and snoring isn’t always the top symptoms of this condition. Some people can go through many years of their lives without knowing that they have sleep apnea.
But it remains incredibly important to have yourself tested for sleep apnea even if you don’t experience symptoms. The longer you go without treatment, the worse the symptoms of sleep apnea can present once they do start to emerge in the future.
Get Testing And Treatment For Sleep Apnea Today
Sleep MD NYC operates as the home of a leading Long Island specialist in sleep apnea treatment. Contact Dr. Shukla if you are concerned about the way you or your loved ones have been experiencing sleep. Gasping for air during the night, ceasing breathing, and feeling tired throughout the day can all be major signs that something is wrong. Don’t buy into the myths and instead learn the truth of the condition so you can seek the most accurate and healthy treatment. Get in touch with our specialists in New York today to learn more!
