Sleep apnea is a very prevalent condition--in fact, an estimated 1 in 5 American adults has the sleep disorder. 

By that number, we should all be able to name at least a handful of people with sleep apnea. But in fact, 80% of sleep apnea cases go untreated and most people don't even know they have it.  Those with sleep apnea don't usually remember waking up during the night and might brush off their symptoms as just being tired. And the only way to know for sure if you have the condition is to be tested for it. 

So here are our top 5 reasons why you should have a sleep study--and the benefits that could result from taking back your restful sleep.

5 Reasons to Get Tested for Sleep Apnea

1)  It causes sleep deprivation and poor concentration

Sleep apnea keeps you from sinking into the depeest levels of sleep, meaning that even though you might spend 7-8 hours in bed, you still wake up exhausted and sleepy. This fatigue can cause difficulty in decision-making and a decrease in critical thinking abilities. You may also be sluggish and lethargic. Some have compared the feeling to an aura that precedes a migraine.

2) It leads to other serious health problems

Lack of sleep can contribute to depression and substance abuse. Doctors and researchers also connect it to high blood pressure, type two diabetes, and heart disease. Fortunately, CPAP treatments seem to lower blood pressure in most individuals who use them.

3) It can make you gain weight

Sleep Apnea affects hormone levels in the body, including those that signal the brain that the body has had enough to eat. As a result, people with sleep apnea are prone to overeating and find it hard to loose weight. The sluggish feeling may also cause people to forgo exercise.

4) It causes headaches and memory loss

Lack of sleep can trigger chronic morning headaches. In fact, these headaches are one of the telling symptoms of sleep apnea. Also, the chronic exhaustion and nightime oxygen deprivation that result from the apneas can actually damage the brain, decreasing brain matter and leading to memory loss. 

5) It hurts your sex life

Lack of Sleep can interfere with sexual function, especially in males. The condition results in lowered testosterone levels, and there is a proven correlation between sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction. But this complication is not only limited to men; women also can experience disruptions in their hormone levels and circadian rhythms as a result of sleep apnea that can lead to problems conceiving. 

Sleep Better, Live Better

Sleep apnea--and poor sleep in general--affects nearly every part of one's life. It takes a physical toll on the heart and body, leads to mental exhaustion and fogginess, and can even cause emotional problems with depression and your bed partner. 

Getting tested for sleep apnea is the first step in treating your sleep disorder. With a Home Sleep Test (HST), you will able to be checked for sleep apnea from the comfort of your home, no overnight stay or technician supervision required. For more information on HST, see our blog post on 5 Reasons to Have a Home Sleep Test. 

Reclaim your health, your concentration, and your enegery! Get started by downloading our 5 Steps to Scheduling a Sleep Study, below.