Sleep apnea describes the condition where a person either breathes too little or stops breathing during sleep. It is often associated with daytime fatigue & sleepiness, headaches, and restless nighttime sleep. The most common form is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is associated with obesity and structural abnormalities of the throat.
Your symptoms may or may not be consistent with sleep apnea. In fact, it sounds like a problem with either sleep hygiene or an abnormal circadian pattern. You should start with proper sleep hygiene.
Proper sleep hygiene includes:
Go to bed and wake up at a set time, every day (even on weekends!).
Avoid caffeine and alcohol at least 4 hrs. before bedtime.
Avoid smoking (if possible).
Maintain a relaxing bedroom environment (no work or TV)
If you must nap, keep it less than 30 min/day.
You might try some herbal (non caffeinated teas) or warm milk before bedtime.
If these don't work, you should discuss with your doctor about other alternatives. He/she may recommend getting a sleep study. |