 | Sleep Apnea Support Group |
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Question: How can I live with Apnea if I am a Systems Engineer and do a lot of critical support to business applicationsI am a 34 years old guy, I was diagnosticated with Sleep Apnea 1 months ago. I have had it for all my life, because I know the symptoms, however this time is more critical, I cannot go to my job, I cannot concentrate in anything, I just want to be in bed because I open my eyes and I see a lot of spots, however I must work because I need to pay the bills, my job is very critical, I do maintanaince to Applications for a Huge corporation and my position is very critical in the organization. I do not want do resign because is the dream job for me, but this illness is killing me.
Answer: I have been a sleep clinician for about 20 years**yipes! and you simply need to see a physician or sleep physician (they are called Diplomats of the ABSM *American Board of Sleep Medicine) as soon as possible to get some treatment. The only Board certification for sleep medicine is Diplomat, ABSM which means they have passed rigorous examinations and training in sleep disorders medicine as well as their other specialty medical boards (Pulmonology, Neurology etc). They will offer you options for treatment that will GREATLY improve your life. Once treated, you will be amazed at the changes you see in your daily life functioning levels. The tiredness goes away, you will lose weight, you will be able to sit in meetings without sleeping but it takes treatment.The longer you have sleep apnea, the more damage it does to how you feel daily. Treatment options vary greatly but NCPAP *Nasal Continuous Positive Airway pressure* is one of the preferred methods for effecting treating sleep apnea. Its a small mask that you wear at night that provides an airway splint with air being pushed through nasal passages. Patients I have treated with it tell me that once they start it their lives are miraculously changed overnight. If that is the treatment your doctor suggests you should wear it every time you sleep (even when napping) and even take it with you for your occasion business or vacation trips.If you get nasal stuffiness, simply call your physician and ask for a nasal steroid (nasal spray) that will alleviate the problem. Should you have other options research them carefully before opting for surgery. In many cases, nasal polyps or deviated septum require surgery (but NCPAP) can be used before and after this to assure you continue to feel better. There are some surgeries however, that have very low success rates and create whats called "silent snoring". That means you are still having apnea without all the sounds which can be dangerous as it doesn't alert you to arouse yourself during a period of sleep apnea which would terminate the apnea. Snoring with sleep apnea are alerts to the brain to arouse you to stop the sleep apnea episode.I can reassure you if you get treatment, you WILL feel better. I know this a very difficult time in your life and very hard to deal with daily. You WILL get better with treatment and you WILL have so much improvement you will feel like a miracle has occurred.
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