Colds and Infections

[vansteps]

Hi Guys/Gals

I have yet to be officially diagnosed with SA, I have my first consultation appointment on the 15th of April. My GP is pretty sure I have SA but I also suffer from Asthma and Diabetes.

I was wondering if any of you have noticed when you have a cold etc that because of the lack of regenerative sleep it takes you an extended period of time to recover. Or is it my other underlying conditions that cause this to be the case for myself.

G

[James @ Intus]

Hi Vansteps,

How did the consultation go? Have you been diagnosed yet?

People with sleep apnoea and/or diabetes often are "immuno-comprised", basically, they don't have an immune system as strong as it once was / should be. So yes, it's not so strange you find that little knocks like colds take longer to recover from than perhaps you are used to.

Not getting any deep sleep has scary and almost instant effects on the rest of your body. I believe I once reas that in as quick as 48 hours wihtout sleep, the negative impact was measurable. I forgot what exactly they measured but it was staggering. If I find the study, I will post it.

[vansteps]

Hi James

Thank you for the reply.

The consultation went very well I think as I have been invited back for an over night sleep study to assess me further. This is due to take place on June 3rd.

Gary

[puffin]

Hi Vansteps, hope the new overnight tests go well. As to your question regarding colds etc. I used to get every infection going, plus an increasing problem of allergies. These allergies used to show themselves at unusual time of the year, i.e. hay fever midwinter.

Since CPAP, almost 12 months now, the number of colds has reduced dramatical with quicker recovery times and I've rarely had a problem with allergies. Now I'm putting the latter down to not breathing in the allergens during the night as they are being filtered out by the machine. This is a not often talked about benifit of CPAP but is clearly a plus.

[James @ Intus]

Now I'm putting the latter down to not breathing in the allergens during the night as they are being filtered out by the machine. This is a not often talked about benifit of CPAP but is clearly a plus.

It certainly is and I think you can add the fact that once sleep apnoea sufferers are successfully treated, their immune system performs at much better levels too. A stronger and healthier body can withstand quite a lot!