With 80% of Aussies being unaware they are suffering the condition, some key symptoms are:
waking up fatigued
Inability to concentrate in the morning
Loud snoring, which is worse when you drink alcohol
Stopping breathing during sleep
If this sounds familiar, this is what you need to do:
For those suspecting sleep apnea, have problems waking up or finding themselves extremely fatigued during the day, here are some easy steps you can take to diagnose and treat your symptoms.
Step 1
Take the Philips online step apnoea quiz. It takes less than 5 minutes and helps you understand your risk for OSA.
Step 2
If the Philips sleep apnea quiz results are ‘high’, or you are experiencing symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, memory problems, headaches, irritability, moodiness, depression or extreme fatigue, book in with a sleep specialist for a sleep study.
Step 3
Explore treatment options based on the results. For those diagnosed with OSA, it’s comforting to know Philips has a range of masks available - from traditional full face masks to modern nasal masks. Research shows it’s the choice treatment for the sleep disorder, and over half of individuals see significant improvements in their sleep, fatigue and energy after using it.
And….
1. Ensure you are sleeping on your side - on your back, your airways are more likely to collapse, leaving you unable to breathe.
2. Maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, snoring is worse - excessive weight narrows the airways and limits breathing. See a nutritionist and have a dietary plan created.. and make sure you follow it!
3. Avoid alcohol. Alcohol relaxes the airways and similarly to sleeping on your back, they are more likely to collapse. A great alternative is sparkling water with lemon and mint.
4. Apply lavender in the evening. Evidence shows lavender calms the brain, counteracting a ‘racy mind’ and endless thoughts - which can otherwise keep you awake. Diffuse or apply it directly - both are effective.
5. Avoid bright light at least 60 minutes prior to bed - studies show 99% of individuals exposed to bright (blue) light have lower melatonin levels. As melatonin is a hormone to make you sleepy, this means you’re less fatigued and will struggle to ‘switch off’.
6. Following up from above, as an alternative to watching screens prior to bed, my recommendation is to meditate - research shows long term meditators have over 200% more deep sleep than those who don’t meditate, leaving them feeling more energised the next day.
