Does my fiance have sleep apnea?
by Sarah Aniston
Filed under Sleep Apnea Books
I know the answer to this question would be to see a doctor, but just to get some opinions from different people…
He snores off and on throughout the night, and it can get pretty loud. Also, he often wakes up coughing very hard, sometimes kinda gasping, so much so that it sounds like hes choking briefly, but i dont think hes even really aware of it because he falls right back asleep. I know how common snoring is, but this choking this scares me. It doesnt seem to bother him because he doesnt get up or anything afterward… Any thoughts?
Also, how serious can this be?
Yes, it could definately be that. My dad has it and he described the same kind of symptoms (except for the not being aware of it thing, of course).
Sound like he may have apnea. I would recommend having him see a doctor and getting a sleep study done. It could save his life if he does have it.
My mom has basically the exact same symptoms, by definition it is sleep apnea, but a mild case. I think they can correct it with surgery, but that seems kind of extreme to a lot of people
Try having him sleep on his side so his tongue does not choke him and his saliva does not drown him.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
The most common kind of sleep apnea is called Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. Sleep apnea means “cessation of breath.” It is characterized by repetitive episodes of upper airway obstruction that occur during sleep, usually associated with a reduction in blood oxygen saturation. In other words, the airway becomes obstructed at several possible sites. The upper airway can be obstructed by excess tissue in the airway, large tonsils, a large tongue and usually includes the airway muscles relaxing and collapsing when asleep. Another site of obstruction can be the nasal passages. Sometimes the structure of the jaw and airway can be a factor in sleep apnea.
What are the symptoms?
excessive daytime sleepiness
frequent episodes of obstructed breathing during sleep. (The patient may be unaware of this symptom — usually the bed partner is extremely aware of this).
Associated features may include:
loud snoring
morning headaches
unrefreshing sleep
a dry mouth upon awakening
chest retraction during sleep in young children (chest pulls in)
high blood pressure
overweight
irritability
change in personality
depression
difficulty concentrating
excessive perspiring during sleep
heartburn
reduced libido
insomnia
frequent nocturnal urination (nocturia)
restless sleep
nocturnal snorting, gasping, choking (may wake self up)
rapid weight gain
confusion upon awakening
Your Fiance sounds like he definitely has sleep apnea, by the choking and gasping breathing you hear him have. This can lead to not only day time sleepiness but high blood pressure and many other disorders. A bipap machine would greatly help him by keeping his breathing passages open while he sleeps. I need one and so does my hubby so we need to go to the doc too. glgl with this.
Sleep Apnea is a condition hwere a peron stops breathing from time to time. You say he gasps for air I would say that he did stop breathing. Have he tell his Dr h that you know he stops breathing in his sleep, they will send him for a sleep study and when the prove it they will precribe a CPAP machine which will help him.
(C)ontinuous (P)ositive (A)ir (P)ressure what this machine does is force air in through the nose and that keeps his air passeges open. The snoring will stop (you will sleep much better) and he ill sleep MUCH better as well. It is possible for him to die in his sleep actually.
I use a CPAP and it is a bit ackwark but you get use to it, It sucks trying to kiss with one on though. Insurance will pay for the machine.
Yes get him to a doctor like yesterday . If you want your fiance to become your husband and live happily ever after he needs to be alive.
The man is literally choking on his own tissues while he is sleeping. When too much CO2 is accumulated and his blood becomes too acidic a signal is sent to his brain that causes him to wake up , take in a deep breath and once the need is met go back to sleep. and then repeat the process
sleep apnea is bad for is heart and it’s bad for his life because he walks around tired all day.
good luck
yes
have u told him
u should suggest that he gets checked out
Sleep apnea is the cessation of breathing while sleeping.
It can last up to several seconds and happen several times during a sleep period.
Yes,snoring and coughing can be symptoms of sleep apnea but true apnea has to be diagnosed by a sleep study test.
There are many people who think they have this disorder but after a sleep test,other things can be found to be causing these symptoms.
After being diagnosed with apnea,the use of a CPAP machine will be prescribed.
This is an oxygen type machine that will be worn at night to help with the quanity of oxygen and quality of oxygen the patient gets that will help with the apnea.
Is your fiance overweight and do you notice this snoring and coughing when he lays on his back?
Does your fiance smoke?
Does your fiance ever had his nose broken?
Does your fiance have asthma?
Have a sleep study test done to be sure and or to find/treat whatever it is that is causing this.