Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Sleep Apnoea

Sleep Apnoea is something I came across during my visit to the clinic late last year. I chanced upon a health magazine while waiting my turn and I thought it was all too relevant to my condition where I used to doze off while at work. Little did I realise I was to become a test subject last Friday for sleep study and getting eventual treatment in the days to come.

I have been wondering why I used to get occasional sleepiness during work while doing programming. My focus seemd to drift off to wonderland and my head nodding to and fro, oblivious to the watchful eyes of colleagues. I knew I am one person who never enjoy physical exercise and always sleep late those days, like after midnight, surfing away in the tide of the internet, and waking up at 5:30 in the mornings. I always thought that this stubborn regime contributed to my thunderous snoring every night. Poor wifey, had to wake me every now and then to turn over to my side to stop the snoring.

I also realised that in the past 2 years I was unable to keep awake while driving to work every morning. Even day time driving to Bangi for work or meeting I sometimes had to struggle very hard to stay awake. My wavering focus even got the better of me even in meetings, but more prevalent during monotonous seminar. I even had to fight to stay awake during homily every Sunday at Mass.

For temporary remedy I have tried the medical patch over my nose, sold at Guardian, purportedly helpful in suppressing the snore but it was just a waste of money which I would gladly have used to purchase another pack of cigarettes. I kept telling myself it could be due to the age thing and so I started to do some walking, not wanting to allow the age thingy to depress me. Couldn't commit as usual.

So when I read about sleep apnoea I was convinced that I might be a victim of such a condition because the symptoms mentioned in the article were what I have been experiencing and it also warned of the fatal consequences that may happen not only during sleep but on the road when dozing off behind the wheel.
to be continued..