British Snoring & Sleep Apnoea Association

Last night I fell asleep on my front for the first time in years.

Some time later, no idea how long, I awoke feeling a desperate need to breathe really deeply which lasted for about 5 minutes. I felt quite panicky.

Having researched a little this morning, I realise I may have symptoms of some sort of sleep apnoea.

Over the past 5 years or so I've started to snore more frequently than I used to.

I seem to have an ongoing sinus blockage for at least a year, nothing huge just annoying, and occasionally flares up and makes me ill.

Waking very early, and/or more frequently.

I'm 52, normal weight, don't smoke, drink very lightly.

I'm not a fan of rushing off to the doctor's, so I'd like some opinions please.

Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the forum! It's very sensible to investigate something if you have got worries.

You mentioned having sinus problems, so I think that your starting point is to have your sinuses checked ... or even treated by a doc if you've been relying on over the counter medications up till now!

But back to the problem of Sleep Apnoea. There are plenty of indicators that can be considered, but really only your doc and a sleep clinic can make a factual and accurate diagnosis. And it's because sleep apnoea occurs in your sleep that you are not always the best of judge of whether you have it or not!!

Why not try the Epworth sleepiness test which is a painless questionnaire. This should give you some idea of whether you should go to your doc or not! (Incidentally, not all OSA sufferers fit the comic stereotype of an unfit smoking and drinking fatty!)

I appreciate your respect for yourself and your GP in not 'running to the doctors', but in the case of OSA a professional opinion and diagnosis is paramount. Time to book an appointment I would think.

Please keep in touch - and hope that you start to feel better (especially in your mind because whether one has OSA or not can play havoc with your thoughts) very soon.

Not all you have said leads me to think you have Sleep Apnoea.
I don't know what you have read so far, but I think you would be advised to go to your GP and explain what happened or has been happening. Get your checked out by Ear Nose and Throat.
By all means take the sleep_apnoea/epworth_sleepiness_scale.php test, but this is a guide and not a diagnoses.
If you have breathing problems (stop breathing during the night) or are tired during the day or snore a lot, these are pointers towards OSA and should be investigated.
If you do have OSA the earlier you catch it the better.

If you are having problems then you could have a look at this graphic.

Please give me your feedback and let me know if it is of any help.



But you should really consult a doctor; that's the best advice that anyone can ever give.

Thanks,

Katie

Very kind of you to share this with us Katie and the graphics are certainly inventive. However it's very close to the dividing line between information and advertising on this site, and I am sure that the moderators will make a decision as to whether your post should remain on this forum.

Incidentally the A word is spelt APNOEA this side of the pond in British English.

You are also very conservative in your estimation of how many apnoeaic episodes an undiagnosed person might have every hour.

Sleep apnoea also affects children.

Why not ask American OSA sufferers to comment on your image? It isn't intended for the British market is it? Come to think of this, your post leads me to think that you are actually intending to market your website through a creative approach inviting comment on an image where your commercial website clearly appears, and without having checked your facts sufficiently first.

I would respectfully remind you that this website does NOT permit advertising by any means and we recommend people who are concerned that they have OSA to consult their doctor FIRST and FOREMOST. The vast majority of OSA sufferers in the UK are covered by the National Health Service and do not need to contact, or be contacted by, independent commercial services for their medical needs to be met.

I'm sorry if I offended you Alsacienne.

Honestly, it's not suppose to be commercial in anyway, the only reason our company name is on it is to ensure it isn't copied.

All of your points are good and give me a few points to work on in the future. After all this is our first infographic and we're not going to get it perfect straight away.

its factually incorrect and I don't think very helpful tbh.