The 'Sleep Problem' I Noticed After the Flu

This winter, I caught the flu for the first time in my life.
Although my fever went down, I was plagued by a persistent cough for three weeks afterward.

When I finally visited an ENT clinic, I realized I had been overlooking a serious sign related to my 'sleep'.

In this post, I would like to share my experience.

My cough wouldn't stop even after I recovered from the flu.
I finally went to an ENT clinic for a check-up.

When I told the doctor, 'My throat feels scratchy,' he said,
'Let's take a look at your vocal cords.'

As he smoothly passed a thin tube through my nose, my vocal cords appeared on the monitor,
and a swelling was visible just before them.

'There is still some inflammation left. It should heal if you take medicine for a week.
It's a sequela of the flu.'

I felt relieved to know the cause.
However, there was another symptom that concerned me.
'My throat is swollen and my snoring is terrible. I also have headaches when I wake up in the morning...'
The moment I said that, the doctor, who had been typing into the electronic medical record, stopped abruptly,
and turned around quickly.

'That is not a sequela of the flu!'
'Your heart can sometimes race and even stop while you are sleeping, so you should have a polysomnography test. I will write a referral letter, so please come back.'

(My heart stops?!)

At the unfamiliar test name, the duo who sang 'Apollo' crossed my mind.
I accidentally blurted out, 'Polinograffity?'...
The doctor's brow furrowed.

'No! Po-ly-som-no-graphy.'

The nurse, sensing the atmosphere, smiled
and said, 'It's time for your inhalation treatment,' as if to pull me away from the doctor.

I found out later after looking it up.

A polysomnography (PSG) test is a precise examination used to diagnose Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS).
It comprehensively measures brain waves, electrocardiograms, and breathing conditions during sleep.
In Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS), breathing stops during sleep, leading to a lack of oxygen,

which causes the heart rate to rise.
The causes of SAS are varied, including obesity, a small jaw, nasal congestion, alcohol consumption, and tongue collapse due to aging. The main symptoms are said to be dry mouth and headaches upon waking, fatigue, daytime sleepiness, and decreased concentration.

Actually, 10 years ago, I was concerned about my snoring and had a simple PSG test.
The result was 'mild'.
Although I was suggested CPAP (a treatment method that secures the airway with a mask during sleep),
mild cases were not covered by insurance.
The rental fee for the device was about 5,000 to 6,000 yen per month.
In addition, I was bothered by the pressure of the special mask and the marks left by the straps, so I left it as it was, thinking it would heal on its own...

Until now, I had been increasing the amount of coffee I drank to mask my daytime sleepiness,
and avoiding trips with friends because I was self-conscious about my snoring,
but I reflect on how I took it lightly, thinking it wasn't a life-threatening illness.

(This year, I will definitely get the precise examination.)

Listening to the signs your body sends and consulting a professional instead of relying on self-judgment is the first step to protecting your health.

Being in my late 40s, I am still at the halfway point of my life.
Let's regulate our daily rhythms and 'invest in health' for a fulfilling life.

Thank you for reading until the end.

I also learned the importance of investing in 'health' from the wealthy individuals I consulted for, and I have summarized it on Kindle.

I post my daily realizations with the motto of 'Softly organizing life'.
I would be happy if you followed me there as well.