SLEEP APNEA? IMPORTANT
For the past few nights I've been having trouble breathing.
Just as I'm drifting off into sleep, my breathing gets heavier and I take breaths at longer intervals until all of a sudden I'm wide awake and gasp for breath.
I looked it up and my symtoms are strikingly similiar to that of a disease called sleep apnea.
What's bothering me about this disorder is genetic and my grandfather has the same disorder. He has to be hooked up to this respiratory machine every night to keep his airways open so he doesn't suffocate.The thought of being hooked up to a machine every night just so I don't suffocate in my sleep is really scary and disturbing to me.
However, my grandfather is obese and in his late 70's and age and weight are a key factors in the disease.I'm not overweight and am only 16 so I highly doubt that's what's causing this.
Stress and lack of sleep is most likely the culprit.These two combined are probably causing my apnea. I've been stressed over projects and whatnot and staying awake and waking up at ungodly hours to finish them.I'll have to set up a doctors appointment this weekend to know for sure what's causing this.
What about you guys? Have you or anyone else in your family had something similar to this? Please tell me, all the articles say that this is a life threatning illness that can increase your blood pressure and weaken your heart and brain.
EDIT: Thanks so much for your concern guys! I'm setting up a doctors appointment this week. I highly doubt I have sleep apena, or atleast a serious case of it. It's most likely that stress and lack of sleep are the cause of this.
I was a little scared when I wrote this becaus I read all these articles that were all "OHMAH GOD, ITS GONNA IT'S GONNA SCREW UP YOUR LIFE AND YOUR BODY BIGTIME IF YOU DON'T DO ANYTHING D:"
Thanks everyone, you rock.
Pleasant dreams to all.