Is Sleep Apnea Hurting Your Career?
Is sleep apnea hurting your career and work performance? People with sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, tend to have problems concentrating, staying awake, and performing well at work. Sleep deprivation, caused by sleep disorders, leads to poor memory, frustration, and some people even fall asleep at work.
If any of these symptoms relate to your life, talk with Dr. Eshom about diagnosis and treatment options today. Our San Diego dental office caters to patients of all ages, and we welcome new patients.
What is Sleep Apnea?
If you snore loudly, wake in the night choking or gasping, or tend to suffer with morning migraines, you may have obstructive sleep apnea. About 40 million people in the US have chronic sleep disorders, and 20 million struggle with sleep problems occasionally. Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders, and in many cases, it’s treatable with non-surgical appliance therapy, offered by Dr. Eshom.
Specifically, obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing completely stops, due to a blocked airway. Usually, soft tissues in the throat or back of the mouth block the air passage. Called apneic episodes, these cessations of breathing can occur hundreds of times during a single night, so the patient never enjoys deep, restful, REM sleep. Many times, obstructive sleep apnea sufferers are not aware that they have the condition. A bedmate may be the first to notice the apneic episodes, loud snoring, and waking events.
Symptoms that Affect Work
Sleep apnea can cause these symptoms, which may negatively affect work performance:
- Inattention
- Poor memory/forgetfulness
- Confusion
- Depression
- Headaches/migraines
- Irritability/stress
- High blood pressure
- Worsening ADHD
- Diabetes and diabetes complications
- Irregular heart beat
- Falling asleep at times of low activity or quietness
Is the Problem Real?
When it comes to work, sleep apnea is a very real concern for some – particularly drivers. Trucking companies, as of 2008, can legally release employees who are diagnosed with sleep apnea and do not undergo effective treatment. Across all industries, workers with sleep apnea are chronically tired, which causes poor job performance. If they are unaware sleep apnea is the underlying problem or simply choose to ignore it, workers can be terminated due to poor job performance.
Relating to health, sleep apnea is a serious concern. It has been linked to heart failure and stroke.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you suffer any of the symptoms listed in this article or know that you have sleep apnea, and you’d like an alternative to a CPAP, call today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Eshom in San Diego. You can reclaim solid sleep and high quality days, perhaps without surgery.