- Morning headaches or nausea

- Loss of interest in sex/impotence

- Frequent nighttime urination

- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

- Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)

- Stroke

- Depression

Treatment of OSA usually reverses these symptoms and may help or prevent consequences such as high blood pressure. In many cases, the benefits of treatment are felt quickly

 

after treatment begins.

What treatment will I be offered?
If you are diagnosed with OSA you may benefit from both general measures and specific treatments.

General Measures:
Normalize weight. Weight loss may help in the treatment of OSA. Even partial weight loss - for instance, 20 pounds by a 200-pound man who should weigh 165 may improve breathing during sleep, making sleep more restful and lessening daytime sleepiness.

Avoid alcohol within four hours of bedtime. Alcohol depresses breathing and makes OSA episodes more

frequent and severe. Alcohol also appears to trigger OSA in people who whould otherwise merely snore.

Avoid sleeping pills. Sleeping pills depress breathing, relax the muscles of the throat and generally make OSA worse. Exceptions may be necessary for people who are bothered by frequent awakenings that are not due to OSA episodes. Seek out a healthcare professional's advice if you use sleeping pills and have OSA or symptoms of OSA.

Take all drugs with care. Medications prescribed for headaches, anxiety, and other common problems can affect sleep and breathing.