Alliance Apnée du Sommeil reminds us that this chronic disease is not to be taken lightly.
yes theobstructive sleep apnea sleep results only in snoring for many people, other symptoms are not to be taken lightly. Among them, daytime sleepiness, recalls Alliance Apnée du Sommeil.
This chronic disease affects approximately 3 million French people. It results in repeated stops of breathing (apnea, therefore) during sleep. The pharynx is obstructed, effectively preventing air from passing properly.
Beware of sleepiness during the day
Beyond snoringa decrease in oxygen in the sang accompanied by very short but frequent awakenings can lead to daytime sleepiness.
And the association recalls, through the voice of its president, Dr. Marc Sapène, the difference between fatigue and drowsiness:
Fatigue corresponds to the difficulty in maintaining a performance, it is manifested by muscle pain, staring, stiff neck. Drowsiness is the difficulty in staying awake, with a significant risk of falling asleep. It is due to a lack or poor quality of sleep. Its only natural treatment is to sleep, while fatigue will be corrected by rest.
Road accidents, work accidents…
And drowsiness we knowit is an increased risk of accidents, whether on the road or in the context of work.
Dr Sapene adds:
People who work as crane operators, truck drivers, airplane pilots or security HQ managers, for example, not only take a risk for themselves but, by the nature of their profession, also endanger the lives of others.
13% of patients, even cured, keep this symptom, which is then called residual apnea.
Sleep apnea: when to consult?
The specialist adds that if such a sign is normal before bedtime or after a meal, it is worth consulting “when it occurs daily, at any time of the day, and interferes with daily activities”.
The Epworth test, if you hesitate to consult, makes it possible to evaluate daytime sleepiness. He is available on the Sleep Apnea Alliance website.