It's true. After Shaq's girlfriend harassed him time and again about his snoring, legendary retired NBA star Shaquille O’Neal decided to learn once and for all if he had sleep apnea.
Turns out he did.
So what did he do? In addition to getting the treatment he needed, he also decided to educate others by producing this (albeit dated) video with the experts from the Sleep Matters Initiative.
Just because you snore doesn't mean you have sleep apnea. Snoring is a common part of sleeping and isn't necessarily harmful - just irritating to those who hear it.
But in some cases (like Shaq's), snoring can indicate that the person suffers from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which can have serious health consequences.
For more information on OSA, check out this post.
How do you know when to go to the doctor? Here are a few helpful tips for what to look for:
Listen for the snore: the louder the snort, the more likely it's OSA. Light, intermittent sighs are common occurrences. Watch out for the more audible, regular snores.
Tune into how consistent the snoring seems to be. People snore occasionally, especially if they're congested or sick, when the blockage in your airways can make it hard to breathe.
Notice the sleep patterns. If you hear someone who snores and also gasps for breath or sounds like she/he is choking, it could be a sign of something more significant.
There are many reasons why people snore, which is why it's always important to seek professional care from a physician who can schedule you for a sleep study and discuss treatment options with you.
Source: The National Sleep Foundation
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