Dear Dr. Rosenberg: I am a 58 year old Vietnam veteran. I have Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD). I am a light sleeper and always feel fatigued. The VA wants me to get a sleep study. What is the point, since most guys with PTSD sleep poorly?
Recent studies have shown that people with PTSD have a much higher incidence of sleep disordered breathing than normal. Several studies have shown that spending most of the night in lighter stages of sleep can predispose one to more frequent episodes of airway obstruction. Currently, there is research being done that shows emotional distress may increase resistance to air flow. Most people with PTSD have both of these problems, thus explaining the high rate of sleep apnea in this population. I would advise you to get the study done. I know at our sleep center we have seen dramatic improvements in patients with PTSD, once they are treated for their Sleep Disordered Breathing.
Dear Dr. Rosenberg: I am always tired and feeling fatigued. I live alone, so I have no idea as to whether I snore, or not. What are some other symptoms that might lead me to believe I have sleep apnea?
Excellent question, since so many with sleep apnea live alone. Here are some clues in persons such as yourself, who feel the quality of their sleep is poor.
- Waking up from sleep with a dry mouth
- Getting up at night to urinate
- Morning headaches upon awakening
- Impaired concentration
- Impaired memory
- Difficulty paying attention
If you have at least four of these symptoms, then there is a high probability that you have sleep apnea.
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