These stories are based on information gathered from health
professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health
decisions.
Margaret, age 47: My husband snores so much
when he sleeps that he has been keeping me awake. I don't think that he has
been sleeping well either because sometimes he falls asleep when he is just
talking to me. I discussed it with him, and we decided that he should have a
sleep study to see if he has sleep apnea.
Jamal, age 37: Sometimes I snore so loudly
that I wake myself from sleep. I am also tired during the day. I read somewhere
that snoring could be a symptom of sleep apnea. I called my doctor and told her
about my symptoms. She gave me a few tips to prevent snoring. I am going to try
these methods first to see if they work before I think about having a sleep
study to diagnose sleep apnea.
Hal, age 41: I have been a truck driver for
almost 20 years. In the last 2 years I have almost had a few driving accidents
because I have a hard time staying awake while driving. When I sleep at home,
my wife says that I stop breathing while I sleep. I am going to have a sleep
study to see if I have sleep apnea.
Frank, age 63: My partner says that sometimes
I stop breathing while I am sleeping. Fortunately, I don't feel sleepy during
the day. I talked with my doctor about my breathing problems because I think
that I might have sleep apnea. She told me that it is common for older adults
to have short lapses in breathing and that I probably don't need to have a
sleep study to diagnose sleep apnea unless I am having other problems.