Men don’t see their doctor as often as women–about half as often, according to studies. They’re also three times more likely to go five years without seeing their doctor. This is unfortunate, because men are more likely than women to die from eight of the top ten causes of death.
And many of these causes are linked to sleep apnea, whose most obvious warning sign is snoring.
Men need to get over these excuses and talk to their doctor about snoring. It could be a matter of life and death.
I Can’t Find the Time
The most common excuse men use for not seeing the doctor is that they’re just too busy. This is a terrible excuse, because really nobody’s too busy to see their doctor. There are 168 hours in a week. It barely takes 1% of that to see your doctor. No one is so busy that an adjustment of just 1% will “break” their schedule.
And here’s the kicker: a man who snores isn’t getting efficient sleep. He’s probably waking up tired and feeling fatigued all day. If he gets his snoring or sleep apnea treated, he’ll be able to sleep better. He’ll probably need less sleep so he’ll have more productive hours to get things done. And because he’s so well rested, he’ll be more productive, too. He’ll find that talking to his doctor about his snoring was probably the best thing he ever did for his schedule.
The Doctor Won’t Tell Me Anything I Don’t Already Know
Men say this kind of thing all the time about going to the doctor, but it doesn’t make any sense. The only way to really know if you have sleep apnea is with a sleep test, so you can’t know the answer to the question.
Seeing the Doctor’s a Waste of Money
This is similar to the excuse people use about time. Seeing your doctor for a checkup is free under most insurance plans. In fact, if you’re not seeing your doctor every year, you’re leaving money on the table.
And it’s worse than that. If you have sleep apnea, you’re probably going to end up paying more for your healthcare than if you get it treated. How much more? Some studies suggest that untreated sleep apnea can double your annual medical costs by up to about $15,000 a year.
I Don’t Want to Do a Test in a Sleep Lab
It’s hard to know if men who say this are ignorant or using it as a deliberate excuse. But it’s important to know that many people can get their sleep apnea diagnosed without having to go to a sleep lab. Home sleep tests can often diagnose sleep apnea in the comfort of your own home. It’s easy and convenient.
Maybe Talk to a Dentist First
We understand: if you’re the kind of guy who doesn’t see his doctor very often, a doctor’s visit can be intimidating. Since you see your dentist twice a year, maybe it’s easier to start that conversation. And once we’ve talked about it, we can help you understand why it’s crucial you talk to your doctor.
And if you’re looking for snoring or sleep apnea treatment that’s not CPAP, we can help with that, too. Please call (914) 526-2144 today for an appointment with a Westchester County sleep dentist at Advanced Dentistry of Mohegan Lake.
