Sleep apnea is something that many people in Pattaya will have become increasingly aware of in recent months. This is a potentially extremely serious sleep disorder that causes the sufferer’s breathing to stop and start. One of the early signs is if you are a loud snorer and regularly feel tired after what would on the face of it seems like a full night’s sleep.
There are 3 main types of sleep apnea which are:
- Obstructive sleep apnea – the most common form and one that happens when the muscles in the throat become overly relaxed.
- Central sleep apnea – this is an issue whereby the brain doesn’t send out the correct signals to the muscles that control breathing
- Complex sleep apnea syndrome – this is when someone suffers from both of the above conditions at the same time.
Common Symptoms
Most of the symptoms of the different types of sleep apnea overlap but the most common are the following:
- Periods where you stop breathing whilst you are asleep – another person would need to make you aware of this
- Loud snoring
- Dry mouth when you wake up
- Morning headaches
- Insomnia
- Irritability
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Causes of Sleep Apnea
It is possible for anyone of any age to develop sleep apnea but there are certain factors that increase your chances of developing the condition. These include:
- Obesity – this is arguably the most common cause of sleep apnea
- Larger neck – people with a large circumference around their neck are likely to have narrower airways
- Inherited conditions – these might include a narrower airway
- Sex – males are two thirds more likely to develop the condition
- Age – the older you are the more chance you have of developing the condition
- Substance abuse – this includes alcohol, tobacco and substances including sedatives and tranquilisers
When to consult a doctor
Sleep apnea is a very serious condition and if you suspect that you or a loved one may be a sufferer you should consult a doctor immediately. It is common to suffer complications such as excessive daytime tiredness that can lead to irritability, high blood pressure or other heart problems, metabolic syndrome, Type 2 diabetes, problems with medications or with surgical procedures, liver problems and sleeping problems for partners.
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Where to go in Pattaya
There are some excellent private hospitals in Pattaya where you could go for a checkup including Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, Pattaya International Hospital and Pattaya Memorial Hospital. Arguably the best of these is Bangkok Pattaya Hospital with state of the art facilities and specialist who are experts in the condition. Naturally, this hospital is more expensive although everyone should really take out private medical insurance if they are living in Thailand.
Providers of Health Insurance
There are several local providers of health insurance although expat health insurance does tend to offer greater coverage and they usually arrange the payment of medical bills whilst at the same time naturally being more expensive. Local providers often require the patient to pay first and then be reimbursed. Whatever policy you decide upon, conducting your own due diligence is highly advisable.
