Most people will agree that there’s nothing quite as nice as a good night’s sleep. However, if something is stopping you from getting the amount of sleep that you need, your mental and physical health can suffer. Unfortunately, disorders like sleep apnea are prevalent in nearly 18 million citizens in the United States, and many of them lack a proper diagnosis. If you think you might have sleep apnea or another sleep disorder, here are a few helpful things to know.

You’re not alone

Sleep disorders are fairly common among adults, and many of them undiagnosed. In fact, between two and four percent of adults in the United States have an undiagnosed case of sleep apnea. In other words, one in every 50 adults in the United States has sleep apnea and may not even know it!

Sleep disorders require medical attention Having an undiagnosed sleep disorder may seem akin to not going to the doctor for a case of the common cold, but in reality the consequences of denying treatment could have serious health risks. Not only are untreated patients at a higher risk for heart attack, they are also at a higher risk for stroke. Seeking treatment is necessary to ensure that a sleep disorder doesn’t put you at risk for these potentially fatal issues.

You have a variety of treatment options

Modern medical advances have made treatment options more versatile than ever, as well as more comfortable. The most common treatment option for sleep apnea is the CPAP mask or CPAP machine in its entirety. These tools are used to keep airways open and ensure smooth, even breathing throughout the night. However, traditional CPAP masks can be cumbersome, which has prompted the development of nasal pillow masks. Unlike full face CPAP masks, nasal pillow masks are very light and only cover a small portion of the face. While it may seem that a lot of people prefer the nasal pillow masks, the split is surprisingly even, with 50% preferring nasal pillows, 45% prefer nasal masks, and 5% don’t have a preference.

The most important thing to keep in mind when considering sleep issues is that you should go see a sleep specialist as soon as possible. You’re already experiencing sleep issues, so why put your health even further at risk? Don’t hesitate to go see your doctor!