Sleep apnea refers to a dire sleeping disorder that’s characterized by intermittent pauses in your normal breathing pattern as you sleep. This condition is more prevalent in men. The risk of developing sleep apnea usually increases with age – obese individuals are also more susceptible to acquiring this disorder. The most common symptoms of sleep apnea include insomnia, daytime fatigue, loud snoring, morning headaches and constant irritability. Whenever you pause breathing for several minutes, your nighttime rest is disrupted significantly. Oxygen flow to your brain, heart and other body organs is also cut off. 

Low testosterone is a major issue among the aging generation, especially because it ushers in a variety of sleeping disorders such as sleep apnea. The relationship between sleep apnea and low testosterone has been confirmed by different health studies. One such study on men’s health that was conducted in 2018 revealed that reduced secretion of testosterone among middle-aged men led to sleep apnea. Other factors that caused this problematic sleeping disorder include aging and obesity. However, sleep apnea is a treatable condition that can be alleviated entirely. But if left untreated, this chronic condition can last for a lifetime. Sleep apnea treatment is often conducted hand-in-hand with testosterone replacement therapy to promote better sleep and improve the general health of patients.

Men bear the brunt of sleep apnea

Testosterone is the dominant male hormone that’s responsible for the growth of beards, enhanced sex drive, increased muscle mass and other pleasant functions. This hormone is extremely important for the optimal functioning of the male body. However, the body’s production of testosterone reduces drastically with age. Men in their 20s and early 30s will have elevated levels of testosterone, but this hormone starts dwindling as they enter their 40s. Sleep apnea usually causes low levels of testosterone among men – research suggests that abrupt changes in hormone production may impact the quality of sleep and even lead to wakefulness.

Sleep apnea causes most individuals to wake up with a completely dry mouth or a sore throat. This condition could also lead to concentration problems during the day, making it harder to complete all your scheduled tasks successfully. If you experience difficulty sleeping or you awaken frequently during the night with severe shortness of breath, you could be suffering from sleep apnea. Once an individual starts noticing some of these symptoms, he/she should seek immediate medical attention.

Sleep apnea treatment

You can achieve better rest once you seek treatment for sleep apnea. This treatment is usually broken down into four key steps. The first step involves conducting a thorough health assessment to establish the nature of sleep apnea you’re suffering from. A home sleep test will be recommended, where a monitor is used to check your breathing as you sleep. The second step involves creating a personalized plan that is based on your sleep study. The final steps are even simpler – an appropriate treatment regimen is provided to the patient, after which it is optimized to improve the patient’s wellness.

Long-term solutions are available, such as CPAP therapy for sleep apnea. Aside from the machine and mask, have ready access to batteries, hoses, cushions, and other CPAP supplies critical to the continued use of the therapy.

The low cost of treating sleep apnea makes it affordable to individuals from all walks of life.