Do you think I have Sleep Apnea?

by Larisa
(Brazil)

I am very worried about my sleep symptoms. I toss and turn all night, and my husband said I snore. Sometimes I wake up and can't go back to sleep.

I also wake up feeling groggy and sometimes my eyes will be puffy all around. And my face has a pale color to it. A few times I woke up in a sweat. Also i have been awakened by a very fast heartbeat.

Some mornings, I have trouble with think mucous in my throat. I haven't had a sleep test done. Right now i am wearing an event monitor to monitor my heart to see why the fast heartbeat. I really need some help. Some nights I am afraid to go to sleep.

During the day I am feeling very exhausted. If i am standing when this happen. I have to sit down until it stops. I wish I knew what was wrong. And now I am pregnant. Very afraid for my baby.

PLEASE CAN SOMEONE GIVE ME SOME HELPFUL ADVICE PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer

Hello Larisa,

Here is what I know from a health journal:

Women in the third trimester of pregnancy may experience an increase in the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and associated blood pressure levels, according to a study in the June 1 issue of the journal SLEEP ( 06/01/2005).

The study shows that the severity of OSA is much higher in women during late pregnancy than it is after they have given birth. This includes an increased number of pauses in breathing, reduced oxygen saturation levels, and approximately two times as many arousals from sleep.

In your case, I think that you have multiple things going on and I would even suspect that you might have morning headaches and/or neck pains. True?

If you snore, you may have OSA. May being the operative word. It may mean something else.

Your baby is quite resilient so don't worry about him or her. at least for the short term. Long-term is a different story if you do not take action now.

Good luck,
Remy