For me the decision to get tested for sleep apnea came when I was Director of Communication for the national airline and driving to the airport daily. I started realising that I was nodding off at the longer street-lights and caught myself having to pull back into my lane as I drifted while driving. I was getting enough ‘sleep’ but still nodding off in meetings – to the amusement of my executive team.
Then one morning bright and early I drove into a stopped line of cars, slow enough to cause no injuries of note, but fast enough to damage the car I hit. My children were in the car with me…that was the literal wake-up call!!
Fast forward to waking up the first morning after sleeping with my C-pap machine…I was sore, I had not tossed and turned and kicked all night and it felt great. I lost weight, got back energy and ‘drive’ and was able to handle a 24/7 job better than ever. My blood pressure was even improved.
To anyone who wakes up often, dry mouth, urinating often in the night, feeling sluggish all afternoon…get tested. You are dying in your sleep a little bit every night and that makes no sense.
THE WAKE UP CALL is a very informative book for the bedside especially with the evidence based scientific approach. Sprinkled with biblical quotes and mixed with personal experience and makes it a compelling read!
Hope it brings the much needed sleep disorders awareness in the Caribbean population.
The shorter you sleep,the shorter your life span. ” Breath is the essence of life” Congratulations and good luck!