Is Everyone With Sleep Apnea Sleepy During the Day?

After being diagnosed with sleep apnea, I began researching the condition on my own. The majority of the reason for this is that when I was told I had it and would need a CPAP machine, that was all I was told.

I knew my father had it because if I didn't fall asleep before he did and the snoring began, I wouldn't be able to sleep! I also wanted to know if there was something else that I could do, other than use a CPAP machine.

Is daytime sleepiness common?

And now I'm writing these articles as well as reading others'. In addition to comments on these articles. I was surprised to learn that people with sleep apnea are commonly sleepy during the day. Especially without treatment.

I do know one woman who was diagnosed around the same time I was. Before being diagnosed, she was constantly tired and sleepy. Along with refusing to purchase a CPAP machine after being diagnosed and at times falling asleep at the desk. But, then again, I had no idea that was a thing at the time.

Daytime sleepiness

In other articles that I have written about some days, especially starting around the age of 10, I was tired during the day but never sleepy enough to need a nap. And actually, until I got diagnosed with sleep apnea. I never even gave a thought about why I was tired and not sleeping well as a child. However, I was also fighting myasthenia gravis at the same time as a child.

My dad never seemed tired, but you could see the tiredness in his face. Again, I thought that was just from working a full-time job and having a dairy farm on top of it. All the while never taking a nap during the day.

Surgeries and sleepiness

When he got diagnosed and started using his CPAP, there was a difference in energy levels. A few years later, I had nose surgery, so the CPAP was no longer needed. And that creates even more energy!

So, I have not really had much experience with sleep apnea and being sleepy during the day. That is why I was so surprised to find out how many people this actually affected.

A sleep apnea tip

I'm learning that, like many other chronic health conditions, not everyone with that health problem has the same symptoms. Yes, sleep apnea is a chronic disease!! So, having Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Crohn's Disease, an Autoimmune Disorder, and so on, on top of sleep apnea, is a lot of chronic health to deal with!

The quality and quantity of sleep you get each night has a significant impact on all other health conditions! I'm not sure about you, but even a common cold lasts longer for me depending on the quality and quantity of my sleep! And I truly feel for anyone who, despite treatment for sleep apnea, still experiences daytime sleepiness!