When People Say, 'I Don’t Have Sleep Apnea'

"I don't have sleep apnea."

How many times have I heard that? How about you? Have you heard others say, “I don’t have sleep apnea"?

Years ago, I remember my husband telling me that I snored. How dare him! He threatened to record me. I told him that the only one snoring was him. Then I had to stop and think of others who told me that they heard me snore.

What about my loved ones and others that I know...

The familiar sound of denial

Come to think about it, I remember hearing other family members snore. They saw my CPAP and knew what it was.

“Would you or anyone else like to check it out? Would you like to know more? Come on, you know you snore…”

Nope. They didn’t have the problem. That sounds familiar and it sounded just like me when I was saying, "Nope, I don't have the problem!"

Excuses can be quite inventive

“You’re just trying to get people to think they have sleep apnea because you do.”

“It’s just a fad like everything else.”

“I would feel like a freak wearing a mask. What if somebody would see me?” And I thought, Um…don’t you sleep in the dark?

“Doctors only want your money.”

“I’m too young. Sleep apnea only happens when you’re old and you snore.” (As I ask, “Do you snore?”)

“Oh, and doctors only want your money.” That one is worth repeating as I’ve heard it a few times.

I think you get my gist.

Do you know what sleep apnea is?

Sleep apnea occurs when a person relaxes in his or her sleep. That includes the mouth, jaws, and jowls. Breathing can stop and start. His/her tongue can roll back and block the throat airway. This will affect breathing. You may notice too, that the person begins to snore.

Tell me, did you know that people with sleep apnea are more prone to heart attacks? Sadly it’s true. I do know a lady who died of a heart attack, likely caused by sleep apnea. She did know that she had sleep apnea. Yet, she wasn't treating it. Wearing a CPAP could possibly have saved her life.

Some causes of sleep apnea include:

• Congestive heart failure
• Obesity
• Genetics
• Hormone disorders
• Type 2 diabetes
• Smoking
• Chronic lung disease
• Alcohol and other sedatives

Encouraging them to seek treatment

If you have sleep apnea or any sleep disorder, be sure to let your doctors know about this. This is so important. Your doctors should also be made aware if you are prescribed a sleep aid or pain medication, as well as being made aware of your usage of marijuana and other products.

You may know someone who has or possibly has sleep apnea. Share about sleep apnea with them. Let them know how serious it is. When they say they have heard about the masks, let them know that if the possibility of them having sleep apnea is great, they should make an appointment with their doctor. If you are in the same town, maybe you could offer to go with them.

And remember, you wear the mask in the dark, when you sleep.