When I reached the age of 25, I started having issues with my sleep. I did not take it seriously at first. I thought it was only because of a long tiring day at work. Sometimes, my body reacts when I am tired, so I assumed that my sleep was affected, too. However, my snoring and morning headaches got worse as days went by. It is when I decided to book an appointment with a sleep specialist.
Let me share with you my journey and learnings in finding a sleep specialist in Singapore:
MY SYMPTOMS
The symptoms I had were not severe for me. I experienced fatigue, morning headaches, and sore throat when I woke up. I ignored everything about it because I thought they were usual for tired people and lack sleep. However, these things got worse, and I noticed that I also snored. But what bothered me the most was the issues with my breathing.
I searched about these things and learned about sleep apnea. The things I felt were all there, so I got scared. I decided to look for a sleep specialist to help me with my problems. I knew that untreated sleep apnea could cause other health problems like heart failure, high blood pressure, and more.
SEARCHED FOR A DOCTOR ONLINE
Searching for a service online is risky because of scams and other wrongdoings that could happen there. It is one of the things I have learned while using the internet. So, I always ensure that I check a legitimate and reliable website for all the things I need. It is what I did when I looked for a sleep specialist.
I checked every website I opened and reviewed their background, history, and services. I also read reviews and comments about them to know what other people think about them and their procedures. I also considered the location of the sleep specialist because I read in an article that long drives could affect the situation of a person.
LEARNED ABOUT SLEEP SPECIALISTS
I heard from my friends that sleep doctors exist. But, what I do not know is that there are many of them, and they have different medical specialties. Some of them are surgeons, neurologists, psychiatrists, paediatricians, and ENT doctors. I read about them to know which doctor I should go to. I based it on the symptoms I had.
CONSULTED AN ENT SPECIALIST
When I was searching, one clinic caught my attention. Aside from its proximity to me, they also have different services for sleep apnea. I booked an appointment with the ENT specialist I saw online. After that, I knew them more through searching about what they do and what treatments they offer.
An ENT specialist helps in treating conditions that concern the ear, nose, and throat. They also handle the head, neck, and sleep. I also knew that they teach their patients how to clear a blocked nose, especially those with allergies. Many people also experience tonsillitis in Singapore, making their services more known. They also handle allergies, as it affects the body parts they cover.
KNEW ABOUT SLEEP APNEA
People who have sleep apnea in Singapore do not know that there are two types – central and obstructive. These things caught my attention when I searched about sleep apnea online. Good thing, my sleep specialist gladly explained both types to me. After the explanation, I learned that what I had was obstructive sleep apnea.
THE TREATMENT
My doctor told me that there are many treatments available for sleep apnea. However, it depends on the condition. In my case, I already experienced many symptoms before I had my checkup, making my condition severe. The treatment done to me was surgery. The sleep specialist improved my airway for proper throat opening. There are other treatments available, but sadly, all of them would not work for me.
MY CONDITION NOW
Ever since I had the surgery, I felt good, and my sleep went back to normal. I do not snore anymore, and my headaches become lesser each day. I have consultations with my sleep specialist every month. It is to ensure that my condition is getting better. I also do exercise because being overweight could also make sleep apnea worse. I also stopped taking sleeping pills.
These experiences and learnings helped me learn about doctors, their medical specialities, and various medical conditions they treat. A person must have an idea about the doctor they talk to and see how they could help you. I hope this article could help you know more about sleep specialists and treat the condition you are experiencing right now.
If you are looking for a sleep specialist in Singapore, visit Dr Gan Eng Cern – Sinus & ENT Specialist Singapore’s website. You will see all the offers and services they have for their patients.
