“living” with sleep apnea
I have Obstructive Sleep Apnea, a condition where, during the night, my throat/airway closes up and I stop breathing. Usually, a person notices the obstruction, wakes up, coughs and falls asleep only after the airway has reopened.
It is the frequency and duration of these obstructions that are the key. Right now I’m at about 15 apneas, with up to 50 seconds “toleration.” That means my body lets me go 50 seconds before it jumps me awake. My blood-oxygen level also drops to 60% at it’s low point, but only 1-2 times a night (doctors usually get worried if it’s less than 95%).
I am not going to say how bad that is because I’m not up to date on what is “bad” or “really scary.” But I do know that 2 years ago, during my last battery of tests, I was at 11 apneas and 25 seconds, with a blood/ox of 75%. My very first test, in 1997, I had 0 apneas and a blood/ox low of 80%.
As I said, I am not saying how bad of a trend this is, but I do know that I’m 30, and that many don’t experience the effects of apnea until they are significantly older. So I’m kind of “starting” young on this one. Young by most any standards (I’m 30 now, but when I was diagnosed I was 18).
I have always been torn about how significant to make my OSA sound. (more…)
May 4, 2009 Musings, Rants, and Random Thoughts 2 Read more >