Studies have repeatedly confirmed that men are half as likely to see a doctor as women. And they’re three times more likely to go five years without seeing a doctor. And what are the consequences of this? In part, it contributes to the fact that men tend to die earlier than women, and that they tend to die more often from eight out of the top 10 leading causes of death, including cardiovascular death.
This is part of the reason why it’s so hard for women to get their husbands to visit the doctor about their snoring. But it’s time for men to overcome their fears and see their doctor about snoring, and the risk of sleep apnea.
I’m Afraid I Can’t Find the Time
Many men think they’re just too busy and can’t fit a visit to the doctor into their schedule. The truth is that there are 168 hours in a week. It takes about 1% of that to see your doctor. There is nothing in your life that can’t be adjusted around that 1% of time in the next three weeks.
Take control of your life and make the time for visiting your doctor to talk about snoring. Even if that time ultimately has to come out of your sleeping hours, you’ll benefit in the long run from improved and more efficient sleep. You’ll probably even enjoy greater productivity and find out that you have a lot more time than you thought for all the important things in your life.
I’m Afraid of What the Doctor Will Say
To be fair, a diagnosis of sleep apnea can be scary, but if you’re already afraid, what’s the benefit of not going? If you do go, you may learn that you only have simple snoring–and that will be a relief. In fact, the sooner you see your doctor, the more likely you will discover that you have an easily manageable form of the condition. Untreated sleep disordered breathing tends to worsen from snoring to sleep apnea.
But even if you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea, getting treatment can relieve many other fears about increased heart risks, cancer risks, and more that are hovering over your head right now.
I’m Afraid the Doctor Will Order a Sleep Lab Test
A sleep test is the only way to diagnose sleep apnea, but most people can get diagnosed with a home sleep test. You do a home sleep test in the comfort of your own home. Sleep in your own bed. Stick to your normal schedule. For many people, this means getting an accurate diagnosis without having to spend a night in a sleep lab.
I’m Afraid It Will Be Expensive
We understand: the thought of going to the doctor comes with worry about how much it’s going to cost. But do you know what’s really expensive? Untreated sleep apnea. It can double your annual medical costs by as much as $15,000 a year.
You might think you can avoid those costs by not seeing the doctor. That may work, until a heart attack or stroke stops you in your tracks–and then you’ll pay all that cost–and more. The truth is that treatment for snoring and sleep apnea is a great investment in your health.
We Can Help If You’re Too Afraid to See the Doctor
Because men don’t see their doctor very often, a visit to the doctor takes on a special kind of significance that can be hard to overcome. On the other hand, seeing a sleep dentist might be easier. Men see their dentist almost as much as women do: it’s more normal.
So if you’re a man who can’t accept the thought of seeing a doctor about snoring–or you know a man who can’t–a sleep dentist can help at first and refer you to a sleep doctor if necessary. Please call (402) 493-4175 today for an appointment at the Advanced Dental Sleep Treatment Center in Omaha.
