Last updated on July 7th, 2023 at 01:40 pm
This Sunday marks the first day of November, or as it has become commonly known “Movember” – the hairiest month of the year. For the next 30 days, men across the globe, of all shapes and sizes and ages and professions, will banish razors and sprout moustaches, in order to raise awareness of the importance of male health; encouraging men to live happier, healthier and longer lives.
Due to lack of awareness, some of the most easily diagnosed conditions for men, are ignored.
One of these conditions is Sleep Apnoea. It is worrying how few people are aware what Sleep Apnoea is, the symptoms to look out for and the knock on effects it can cause. As much as 80% of people who suffer from Sleep Apnoea are unaware they have the condition.
Some symptoms of Sleep Apnoea include:-
– Snoring
– Anxiety
– Depression
– Lack of interest in sex
– Irritability & mood swings
– Headaches
– Frequent visits to the toilet at night
– Waking with a dry or sore throat
– Feeling sleepy or tired in the day
Sleep Apnoea has been linked to being a causal or resultant factor of a number of serious conditions including stroke, heart failure, diabetes, depression and ADHD.
Some factors that make you more susceptible to developing Sleep Apnoea include being male, being overweight, being over 40 years old, having a large neck (greater than 17 inches), having large tonsils or tongue, being a smoker, drinking alcohol regularly…and there are more!
If you think you or somebody you know suffers from any of the above symptoms, seek medical advice:-
1) NHS – lower costs, slower speeds
To find out if you are eligible for CPAP through the NHS, you will need a referral to a sleep clinic from your GP. From there, many parts of the UK have a waiting list of around 10 weeks to undergo a sleep study, then some additional time to get the results.
2) Private – higher cost but faster service, greater choice and convenience
We support Movember in recognizing the importance of male health. As well as growing a moustache for Movember, you can now join their Move campaign. This campaign commits you to performing some form of physical activity every day, in the month of November. So men, women and children – if you can’t, struggle to, or would rather not grow a moustache – there is no excuse not to get behind this campaign. “Move or Mo” and let’s break the stigma around male health.