Why Are You So Tired?

If you're not getting enough sleep, it stands to reason you'll feel fatigued. But what if you don't realize that your sleep is insufficient? This happens to millions of people with a condition called sleep apnea, a sleep disorder that causes you to momentarily stop breathing, often many times during the night. Each time you stop breathing, you awaken just long enough to disrupt your sleep cycle, usually without being aware of it.

More than one-third of adults in the United States report that they snore at least a few nights a week, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Snoring is caused by the vibration of the soft parts of the throat while breathing in and out during sleep. Snoring can sometimes account for daytime symptoms such as excessive fatigue. But with sleep apnea, a condition related to snoring, there are repeated periods when breathing stops during sleep.

Obstructive sleep apnea results in low oxygen levels in the blood because the blockages prevent air from getting to the lungs. The low oxygen levels also affect your heart and brain function. The only clue that you might have sleep apnea is chronic fatigue.

What can you do? First, talk with your doctor about a sleep study to determine if you have sleep apnea.

Both obesity and smoking are risk factors for sleep apnea, so losing weight and quitting smoking are recommended. Sleeping on your side instead of your back may help eliminate mild sleep apnea.

Your doctor may prescribe a medical device called a CPAP that helps keep your airways open while you sleep. In severe cases of sleep apnea, surgery is necessary to remove tissues that are blocking the airways.

If left untreated, sleep apnea can increase your risk of stroke or heart attack.