An Austin sleep doctor is urging people to get tested for sleep apnea before it’s too late. He knows from experience that ignoring the signs can be deadly.
TikTok user Steven Morgan (@resteasysleepclinic) is a sleep doctor based in Austin, Texas. He revealed what prompted his PSA in a video posted on Aug. 20.
“Something that’s been on my mind lately is the father of one of co-workers at a school we’ve been teaching at in San Antonio, he was admitted to the hospital after having a heart attack,” Morgan says. “And one of the questions they asked him at the screening was, ‘Do you have sleep apnea?’ And they said no. But he had so many of the hallmarks and signs of sleep apnea.”
The co-worker asked Morgan and his colleagues for a test kit so she could determine whether her father had sleep apnea. “They never got a chance to use it because he was never discharged from the hospital,” Morgan says. “Because he passed. And I just want to take this moment to tell people that if your doctor says to get a test, you should get a test.”
What Are The Signs Of Sleep Apnea? When Should You Get A Test?
As explained by the Mayo Clinic, sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that results in disruptions to your breathing. That can cause you to snore loudly and feel tired even after long periods of rest. It is generally attributed to either an obstruction caused by your throat muscles or an issue with how your brain communicates with the muscles that control your breathing.
It’s important to note that not everyone with sleep apnea sores. Other symptoms include gasping for air during sleep, dry mouth, morning headaches, and irritability. If you have these symptoms, the Mayo Clinic recommends consulting with a doctor. That’s because not only does sleep apnea impact your quality of life, it is also directly tied to an increased risk of heart attack.
Reddit users on this thread posted to r/SleepApnea a few months ago echo many of the symptoms listed on the Mayo Clinic website. In general, it seems like if you suspect you have sleep apnea, it’s best to get in front of a doctor as soon as possible.
Viewers React To The Austin Sleep Doctor’s Advice
In the comments section of Morgan’s TikTok, viewers expressed a wide range of opinions on his advice. Some viewers wrote that they agree with his recommendation. And they noted how a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine can drastically improve your quality of life. “I do CPAP set ups and I am constantly telling patients that sleep apnea is connected to other health issues,” wrote one person. A second person said, “Five years on my CPAP and I swear I sleep so good now. And I’m not exhausted during the day.”
However, others said the barrier to treatment is high. “The sleep apnea machine is over $1,500,” one person said. “Most people cannot afford that.”
Someone else said, “After both me and my doctor spent two years arguing with insurance about the fact that the test is needed, we’ll see.”
@resteasysleepclinic See your doctors. Do your checkups. Screenings and lab tests save lives. #sleepapnea #austin #atx
BroBible contacted Morgan via email for comment.