Issue link: https://imageup.uberflip.com/i/1500276
14 SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | JUNE 2023 Spring Brunch By Kathy Caraher, Resident Not long ago I went on a cruise with some friends. About the third morning when I awoke, I looked towards my roommate's bed. She was already awake but looked exhausted and had obviously had a terrible night. Then, with much hesitancy, she told me I had kept her awake most of the night… snoring! Of course, I was embarrassed but I also knew I had heard this before. I had passed it off as allergies, alcohol from a party the night before, being overly tired… you name it. But I could tell she was concerned today. Especially because I live alone, and my kitties had never mentioned it. I had no current awareness! Without much hesitation I agreed I should have a Sleep Study done by my doctor. I arranged for the sleep study and went to the clinic to pick up my At Home test. What a relief. I did not have to go to some strange room in a building far away and be hooked up to sensors all over my head and in my hair. The test equipment amounted to a band that I wore around my head, forehead level. In the center front was some kind of sensor that obviously was what collected data. It did not keep me awake or bother my sleeping, but boy did it register a lot of activity! I have now joined the ranks of CPAP users (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) due to OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea). I wish my father had had the availability of this awareness. Most nights I remember being awakened from the loud noises coming from his room. I would hear gasps for air, choking and loud snoring. He had many of what they now refer to as classic symptoms of OSA/ Apnea. Hypertension (high blood pressure), stroke risk, obesity (BMI>30), excessive use of alcohol or sedatives, smoking, large neck circumference (>17" men: >16" women) and Endocrine disorders. He had his first heart attack at 42 and died at 54, after eight heart attacks! Please, don't Ignore the snore! DON'T IGNORE THE SNORE