"Sleep apnea often goes untreated because it doesn't look the way most people expect it to. Many imagine loud, disruptive snoring or dramatic gasping in the middle of the night. For many others, though, the condition is far quieter, hiding in plain sight within everyday life. Researchers estimate roughly 30 million Americans have sleep apnea, yet as many as 80 percent of cases go undiagnosed. Part of the problem is practical."
"But there's also a psychological reason sleep apnea flies under the radar: People adapt. "Many people with sleep apnea have had their symptoms for such a long time that they may not realize what's abnormal," adds Jordan Weiner, MD, a board-certified otolaryngologist and president of Valley ENT in Scottsdale, Arizona. And because sleep apnea doesn't cause pain, its warning signs are easy to chalk up to stress, aging, or just being busy."
Sleep apnea affects an estimated 30 million Americans, with up to 80 percent of cases undiagnosed. Short primary care visits and a relatively young sleep medicine specialty contribute to missed diagnoses. Many people adapt to long-standing symptoms and do not recognize abnormalities. Because sleep apnea does not cause pain, symptoms are often attributed to stress, aging, or busy schedules. Excessive daytime sleepiness—such as dozing unintentionally or struggling to stay awake while reading or driving—is a strong indicator of a sleep disorder. Persistent tiredness despite eight hours of sleep should prompt evaluation for sleep apnea.
Read at Inverse
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