June 17, 2021
4 Sleep Apnea Myths Debunked
Myth 1: Sleep apnea only causes snoring.
Sleep apnea may cause a plethora of both mild and severe symptoms. Although snoring is the side effect most commonly associated with sleep apnea, it may also cause headaches, difficulty concentrating, high blood pressure, depression, diabetes, liver problems, and many other more serious health issues.
Myth 2: Only old, overweight people get sleep apnea.
Although obesity may greatly increase your risk of developing sleep apnea, anyone may develop the disorder. Certain factors that may increase your risk of developing sleep apnea include: family history, sleeping on your back, anatomical characteristics, and cigarette smoking.
Myth 3: It is fine to leave sleep apnea untreated.
If you do not address sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, they can have drastic impacts on your health and lead to other secondary health issues such as coronary artery disease or stroke. As Dr. Jonathan Jun states, the true damage with sleep apnea is done over time; people should do their best to take care of their and their partner’s health, and this includes addressing sleep-related health issues.
Myth 4: Children cannot have sleep apnea.
Researchers estimate that about 1-5% of children have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Although this figure represents a small percentage of children, pediatric OSA often goes undiagnosed. It is important for parents to address their children’s sleep disorders while they are young to avoid major health complications that may develop as a result of OSA over time.