Q I snore heavily and I'm extremely sleepy during the day. I thought it was insomnia, but could it be sleep apnea?
A If heavy snoring and irresistible daytime sleepiness occur together, sleep apnea is highly likely. A polysomnography test is needed to confirm this before Korean Medicine treatment, and for moderate or worse cases, CPAP therapy comes first.
Detailed Answer
Sleep apnea is a condition in which the airway becomes blocked during sleep and breathing repeatedly stops. It is characterized by heavy snoring, daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, and reduced concentration. Left untreated, it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Even when it looks like insomnia, sleep apnea may actually be the cause of disrupted sleep, so if symptoms overlap, you should first distinguish them with a polysomnography (PSG) test. For moderate or worse sleep apnea, CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy is the standard treatment.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
At Dongjedang, when sleep apnea is suspected, we always advise confirming the cause with a sleep study first. While receiving CPAP therapy, complementary Korean Medicine treatment (relieving tension in the tissues around the airway and weight management) can be planned, but sleep apnea itself is not a condition for Korean Medicine treatment alone.
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