How to Convince a Loved One to Take a Sleep Study

Congratulations, you've been treating your sleep apnea for a while now and are feeling amazing. Now you're convinced everyone around you has sleep apnea and they need a CPAP or BIPAP machine. Not so fast though, we know that sleep apnea can only be diagnosed by a qualified sleep specialist.

My dad, the lifelong snorer

That was me after my diagnosis. For instance, I am now even more aware of my dad's lifelong loud snoring. However, once I started using my CPAP, I realized there is more to sleep apnea than snoring.

For example, his constant daytime sleepiness, regular afternoon naps, and midday cups of coffee. Likewise, all the medical conditions he was treating.

How did it come to this?

For as long as I could remember, my dad snored. However, as he got older, his undiagnosed sleep apnea led to other health problems. How could this be allowed to happen?

Isn't it obvious that sleep apnea causes high blood pressure, heart palpitations, and pre-diabetes? All too often, only the symptoms are treated, not the root cause. That is to say, those symptoms are treated with medication.

Convincing my dad to get a sleep study

Fortunately for us, it did not take a lot of convincing for my dad to take the sleep study. He was tired of feeling tired all the time. In other words, my dad was a shadow of his former self.

For example, he didn't have the energy to enjoy physical activities. Additionally, he was gaining weight and taking a lot of medications with negative side effects.

Subsequently, when I told him about how I overcame my daytime sleepiness and gained tons of energy, he was willing to try anything.

Gettting diagnosed and starting CPAP

After that, he spoke to his family doctor, who made a referral to a sleep specialist. The diagnosis came back as severe obstructive sleep apnea. Without hesitation, he started using CPAP.

However, he did not take to the machine as easily as I did. Regardless, there was an immediate and dramatic improvement in his sleep and quality of life. Over time, with my help, he found the right mask and pressure setting and has been using his CPAP every night for the past 4 years.

'My daughter saved my life'

Shortly after he started using CPAP, a relative told me my dad said, "My daughter saved my life!"

This brought me such joy to hear. Subsequently, my dad's life turned around. For instance, he started playing volleyball at the senior center. Secondly, I helped him change his diet and he lost weight. Even better, his doctor is no longer monitoring his heart for palpitations. Additionally, kidney failure is no longer a concern.

Have the conversation

In conclusion, if you suspect someone in your life is suffering from sleep apnea, I recommend having the conversation, especially if you are using therapy to treat sleep apnea and know the benefits.

My number 1 tip is to suggest that there is no harm in taking a sleep study. You could be saving someone's life.