Everything You Need to Know About Sleep Apnea

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Happy Friday, everyone! Today’s topic is sleep apnea.

The first thing I need you to know is that sleep apnea is a life-threatening medical condition. Yep, you heard me right. You can actually die from it.

I’m not telling you that to scare you; I’m telling you that so that you’ll take the condition seriously and seek medical help. If you think you might have sleep apnea, check to see if you have any of the following signs and symptoms:

·      Snoring

·      Choking or gasping for air

·      Daytime drowsiness

·      Waking up with a headache

·      Trouble concentrating

·      Mood swings

·      Frequently waking up at night

·      Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking

Please note that just because you may have one or two of the above symptoms doesn’t mean you have sleep apnea. For example, you may snore and you may also experience drowsiness during the day, but that can be related to a completely different condition. With that being said, these signs and symptoms should be treated as a general guideline and not a medical diagnosis. Please consult with a doctor if you suspect that you have this condition.

Now, should you choose to book an appointment with a doctor, you should know that he or she may recommend that you undergo a sleep study (also known as a polysomnogram). During this procedure, you will be hooked up to censors that monitor your heart rate, breathing, muscle movements, and brain waves. And don’t worry; you’re put into your private room with a bed. It’s a relaxing atmosphere that should curb any anxiety that you may have.

As far as treatments go, there are several different options available. The most common is called a continuous positive airway pressure device (CPAP). A CPAP is a mask that helps the body regulate breathing. Other options include dental devices that open the airways. There’s also a hypoglossal nerve stimulator that can help reposition the tongue and adjust breathing patterns.

If you want to learn more about this topic, I encourage you to visit the Sleep Foundation’s website at https://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-disorders-problems/sleep-apnea-treatment. Remember, your health comes first and foremost, so please make it a priority to get this taken care of.

Everything You Need to Know About Cervical Cancer

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Ladies, if you’re behind in getting your Pap smear, you need to schedule an appointment ASAP. Cervical cancer is no joke, and can become fatal if left untreated. The good news is that cervical cancer is 100% treatable if detected early.

Did you know that at one point in history, cervical cancer was one of the leading causes of death for American women? Thanks to the Pap test, the cervical cancer fatality rate has decreased by more than 50%.

 

Womenshealth.gov recommends women ages 21-29 get a Pap test done every three years. Women ages 30-64 only need to get one done every five years. It’s a simple enough procedure that takes about 15 minutes or so, and it’s well worth it because it can save your life.

Now, according to the National Cancer Institute, the average age of women diagnosed with cervical cancer is 49. It takes about 10-15 years for the pre-cancerous cells to develop into full-blown cancer, which is why it’s so important to get tested while you’re young.

Should you get an abnormal Pap smear result, keep in mind that it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have cancer. There are a variety of different reasons why you can get an abnormal test result. However, if you do get an abnormal result, your doctor will likely want you to come in for a colposcopy.

A colposcopy is a procedure in which your OBGYN examines your cervix underneath a microscope. Should your doctor see any abnormal tissue, she/he will take what’s known as a biopsy. A biopsy is a small sample of tissue that is removed from the cervix. The biopsy will then be sent to the lab where the tissue sample can be examined in more detail.

If you think you may already have cervical cancer, here are some common signs and symptoms to watch out for:

• Pain during or after sex
• Unusual vaginal discharge (a change in color or texture)
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding (such as after sex, after menopause, or between periods) 

If you have any of the above symptoms, please call your doctor immediately. And please help get the word out by sharing this post.