Sleep Apnea Myths Busted : Top 8 myths !

1. ObstructiveSleep Apnea (OSA) is caused by only obesity / I’m not overweight, so I don’t have OSA.


Being obese or overweight definitely does increase the risk of developing OSA becauseof the increased amount of fatty tissue in the throat. The fatty tissue and muscles collapse during sleep and block the airway. But, the fact is that even a thin person can have OSA if he or she has a narrowed airway or structural abnormalities of the jaw, tonsils or adenoids, septum, tongue and soft palate. Also, an overweight/obese person who experiences mild sleep apnea might benefit from a healthy diet and exercise. The loss of a few pounds could help minimize the condition of OSA.

2. I don’t snore, so I don’t have sleep apnea !/ Snoring means you have sleep apnea!


Snoring is one side-effect of the muscles at the back of the throat relaxing and structures softening during sleep, but just because you do not snore, doesn’t necessarily mean you do not have sleep apnea. In fact, many people are not even aware they have OSA and believe they’ve slept an entire night without waking up once.

There is an alarming relation between OSAand snoring but snoring is not a diagnosis, itsjust a clue – a what-if. In fact, one in three men and approximately one in five women who are habitual snorers, suffer from some degree of OSA, which nullifies the all-or-nothing myth that all snorers have sleep apnea.So, regardless of what is specifically causing snoring for you, if you snore — or if you suspect you snore — consider it a sign, that something may not be right.

Take our sleepapnea questionnairesand find out by booking our sleep study.

3. The more you sleep – the better!


Several studies show that sleeping too much or oversleeping, can be detrimental to your health. Studies have shown worse performance on memory and thinking skill tests among women who slept five hours or fewer per night or nine hours or more, compared with those getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night.Literature shows that oversleeping might just be as detrimental as undersleeping. So, this myth is busted: more sleep is not always the best solution to poor sleep.

4. Children rarely have sleep apnea !


One third (33 percent) of obese children might be suffering from OSA.

2 to 4 percent of non-obese children may have OSA.

50 percent of obese, snoring children might have OSA - This may be because the upper airway is smaller and thus easier to collapse. Or because the fat in the belly acts by pushing up on the lungs and making them smaller.

A thin child with the big tonsils are no longer the main type of childhood OSA sufferer, instead more commonly OSA is seen in obese children with adult-like OSA.

No matter how we see it, children do get sleep apnea. Book your Pediatric Sleep Study now at booksleepstudy.

5. You Don’t Need Sleep Apnea Treatment!


OSAshould not be left untreated. It could be holding your quality of life hostage by causing you to feel chronically fatigued. Do you find yourself nodding off in meetings, going for another cup of coffee, cancelling activities with your kids because you’re too tired, or falling asleep while watching TV in the evenings? Well, sleep apnea might be to blame, and treating it could give your energy back.Plus, if sleep apnea is left untreated, OSA could contribute to a variety of serious health conditions, diabetes, stroke, obesity, heart disease, increased traffic accidents, depression, hypertension and liver disease.

6. CPAP mask wearing makes me look unattractive/CPAP Machines Make It Harder To Sleep:


Researchers took photos of the study participants before and after undergoing CPAP therapy, then the researchers asked 22 people, including medical professionals, to observe and compare the photos. Those who reviewed the photos noted, “…that the images of the patients after the therapy, looked more alert (68 percent), more attractive (67 percent) and youthful (64 percent) than before the treatment. Researchers found that the therapy helped decrease forehead surface volume, redness under eyes and on the cheeks. So, don’t worry; you will look good after CPAP! Also, modern CPAP masks aren’t what they used to be – they’re always getting quieter, smaller and more comfortable.

Also, CPAP in fact makes it much easier to sleep. Wearing a CPAP mask may take patients some time to get used to, but that does not mean that you should not use CPAP. CPAPkeeps your airways open while you sleep. This way you can receive peaceful rest instead of having to wake up for air, hundreds of times in one night. Sometimes with OSA, you may not even fully wake up during these events, but the process of trying to restore your breathing is exhausting. Having a CPAP to take the stress away from your body and will help you receive restorative rest.

Contact booksleepstudy for CPAP rentals & purchase.

7. You don’t needto clean your CPAP machine


You get your CPAP, set it up, use it every night, and forget it right? Wrong! You need to regularly clean your CPAP and supplies to disinfect them. Otherwise, germs, mold, allergens, and other pathogens could collect and make you sick. Plus, cleaning your CPAP supplieshelps them last longer and work more efficiently so you can get the most out of your sleep apnea treatment.

8. Do I really have Sleep Apnea ????


Our last but not the least myth about sleep apneais its denial. It’s easy to shrug off feeling chronically tired for reasons such as depression or due to being stressed out at work. Maybe you know you’ve been staying up too late and need to set an earlier bedtime. It’s time to stop shrugging fatigue off as you go for another cup of coffee.If you think you may be at risk for sleep apnea, don’t hesitate. You don’t have to spend your life tired. Contact www.booksleepstudy.com for immediate diagnosis and treatment options.