Has anyone ever told you that you have dark circles under your eyes or that you look tired? Do you often feel fatigued, irritable, unfocused, and less productive in your daily activities? If so, you may be suffering from a sleep disorder.
But do you know what productivity actually means? In simple terms, productivity is the output or result of what is produced, achieved through the efficient use of available resources. In any workplace, a lack of productivity among team members can have serious negative consequences. While poor management policies are sometimes to blame, in other cases, the issue may stem from undiagnosed health conditions, such as sleep disorders.
Many people complain about not getting enough sleep at night or feeling tired during the day due to poor-quality sleep. This could be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Do you know what OSA is and its main consequences? Let’s take a closer look.
Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by the obstruction of the upper airway during sleep, often accompanied by a drop in blood oxygen saturation and brief awakenings to breathe.
The respiratory pauses usually last about 20 seconds, although in severe cases they may last up to 2 minutes and can be repeated dozens, or even hundreds, of times during a single night. Obstructive sleep apnea is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, heart attack, stroke, and arrhythmia.
To diagnose OSA, a healthcare practitioner may order sleep monitoring tests. One option is the Biologix Sleep Test®, a simple, practical, and efficient at-home test that eliminates the need to spend the night in a sleep lab. At bedtime, the user simply places the Oxistar® sensor, a high-performance oximeter, on their finger and starts the test in the Biologix app. The following morning, the results are available within seconds.
Another diagnostic method is polysomnography, a more comprehensive test conducted overnight in a sleep lab. During this procedure, sensors monitor airflow through the nose and mouth, blood oxygenation, heart rate, brain activity, and limb and thorax movement.
Diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea is crucial, as its consequences can severely affect quality of life and impair daily functioning. Untreated OSA can lead to stress, depression, high blood pressure, reduced libido, and daytime sleepiness, among other issues.
Once diagnosed, patients should begin treatment as soon as possible. Treatment may include lifestyle changes such as weight loss, the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices, or, in milder cases, oral appliances.
Alongside treatment, following certain productivity tips can help. For example, write down your daily activities in order of priority to stay focused. Get enough quality sleep, limit distractions, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy diet.
By combining effective treatment with these productivity strategies, you can improve your well-being, restore your energy, and make the most of your day.
DISCLAIMER: Only properly qualified physicians can diagnose diseases,
recommend treatments, and prescribe medications. The information provided herein is for educational purposes only.
