News

Why Can’t I Stay Asleep?

You’ve probably heard stories about people counting sheep until they reach the thousands and still being unable to fall asleep. Maybe you’ve experienced a night or two like that yourself. Such a problem is generally attributed to insomnia, a somewhat familiar sleep disorder.

Less well-known, sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that tends not so much to prevent sleep as to diminish its quality. If you are one of the millions of Americans who has trouble staying asleep, then you’ve likely experienced some form of sleep apnea.


Difficulty Staying Asleep vs. Difficulty Falling Asleep

Although insomnia can also be responsible for difficulty staying asleep, it is most recognized for keeping people awake. So, when deciding whether you’re facing sleep apnea or insomnia, you can begin by determining whether you’re having trouble falling asleep or simply staying asleep.

If staying asleep is your issue, there could be a number of reasons. However, the common thread among those suffering from sleep apnea is some form of airway obstruction while sleeping. When you sleep, the muscles in your throat relax, narrowing your airway. Certain hereditary and biological conditions can make your airway more dramatically narrowed than normal, which can lead to a cessation of breathing. Your body’s natural response is to jerk you awake so that you can begin breathing again.

If you’ve woken short of breath or a family member has witnessed you stop breathing temporarily while asleep, you should seek help immediately. For serious concerns about your health, make sure to consult your primary care physician. The professionals at My CPAP Club can answer any questions you may have about sleep disorders and relevant treatments. Contact us today to get back to sleeping comfortably the whole night through.