Tired or Fatigued?
From Sleep Apnea to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
What is Sleep Apnea
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Fatigue is associated with many problems and conditions, ranging from PMS, to Chronic Fatigue to ... simply needing a good night’s sleep.
Ruling out the obvious, (tired or exhausted from exertion and/or lack of sleep) women who experience persistant fatigue often suffer from a sleep disorder, such as Insomnia or Sleep Apnea.
Sleep Apnea: a disorder of breathing during sleep, usually accompanied by loud snoring. Apnea can disrupt and/or stop breathing during the night, interfering with adequate oxygen intake during sleep. Two types of apnea:
Obstructive Sleep Apnea: (OSA) the most common type: due to an obstruction in the throat during sleep, generally results in loud snores. A narrowing of the upper airway typically caused by physical changes of aging, weight gain, or alcohol consumption before sleep.
Central Sleep Apnea: has a neurological basis. Patients having both obstructive and central apnea must wake to breathe, sometimes hundreds of times during the night, usually without remembering.
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Symptoms of Sleep Apnea include
- Dry mouth upon waking
- Depression
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fluctuating weight
- Loud Snoring
- Frequent trips to the bathroom during night
- Insomnia (problem going to sleep)
- Prespiration (excessively) while asleep
- Waking during the night with the sensation of choking
- Waking and gasping for air
- Waking with headaches
- Waking unrefreshed and having trouble staying awake during the day
- Waking up sweating
Sleep Apnea can be a very dangerous condition and should be checked by a physician as soon as possible.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is characterized by a feeling of exhaustion, weakness, fatigue, and other symptoms that have persisted for over 6 months. It is often associated with another chronic syndrome: fibromyalgia. There is little understanding about the cause of CFS. Some believe it is primarily caused by immune system dysfunction, other s belive a virus is involved. Government (NIH) researchers are investigating the causes of CFS. In 1994 the Government redefined the disease along with a rather complex set of steps for its diagnosis. You can find this information at this Center for Disease Control web page.
Do you have CFS? Short questionnaire:
- Has your fatigue lasted for more than 6 months? (despite getting enough rest and are not overworking)
- Is your physician unable to explain your symptoms?
- Are you unable to accomplish even half your previous workload/output?
- Have you experienced 4 or more of the following symptoms, either recurring or lasting 6 months or more?
- Difficulty concentrating
- Joint pain without redness or swelling, may migrate
- Unexplained muscle soreness
- Unusual headaches or headaches that hurt all over head
- Prolonged fatigue (over 24hrs) from exercise or work - that formerly was not a problem.
- Short-term memory problems
- Sore throat
- Tender and/or painful lymph nodes (neck, armpits, groin, etc.)
- Sleeping problems
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