When Sleep Doesn’t Feel Restorative Anymore
Not everyone gets a good night’s sleep. If you commonly ask yourself: Why can’t I sleep? Why do I wake up many times during the night? Why am I exhausted when I wake up? You are not alone. Many people sense something is “off” with their sleep long before they have answers or admit that they aren’t sleeping well.
What is important to know is that sleep is an important foundation of wellness and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) when untreated can lead to serious health issues. Common early signs of OSA include:
- Persistent fatigue despite a full night in bed
- Snoring or gasping noticed by a partner
- Brain fog, mood changes, or reliance on caffeine
Uncertainty about sleep can feel overwhelming and many people question: Is this stress? Aging? Or Something more?
The good news is that you don’t have to navigate sleep concerns alone or wait months to get in and see a sleep doctor. Understanding what might be going on is the first step towards sleeping – and feeling – better.
When to Ask, “Do I Have a Sleep Issue?”
One of the most common sleep issues that goes undiagnosed is OSA. Many people know they snore and assume it’s normal. Snoring is not normal and when present, an evaluation for OSA should be considered.
Common Signs of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is vastly undiagnosed. Sixty to Eighty million Americans have obstructive sleep apnea but only 15 million have been diagnosed. OSA is caused by the upper airway (throat) collapsing at night when you are sleeping.
Signs of undiagnosed sleep apnea include:
- Loud snoring
- Pauses in breathing or gasping during sleep
- Waking up with headaches
- Dry mouth or sore throat
- Daytime fatigue and lack of focus
- Waking up exhausted even after a “full night” of sleep
Waiting to be evaluated or delaying treatment for OSA is a mistake because of the health risks associated with sleep apnea and you are missing an opportunity to feel better.
Long-term, untreated obstructive sleep apnea can:
- Increase cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks, vascular disease, and strokes.
- Worsen mental health issues such as anxiety, panic attacks, and depression.
- Create relationship tensions because it isn’t just your sleep that is disrupted, your partner’s sleep is disrupted too.
GEM SLEEP: The Simple Path to a Diagnosis
GEM SLEEP is a virtual clinic transforming how people access care for sleep apnea, making it possible to get diagnosed and treated entirely from home. It provides a complete continuum of care ensuring patients receive comprehensive, long-term sleep apnea treatment solutions.
The GEM SLEEP process is easy:
| Assess | Take the 30-second online clinical assessment to screen for the possibility of obstructive sleep apnea |
| Create an Account | Create a secure patient portal that allows you to navigate the GEM SLEEP process |
| Diagnose | Begin the diagnosis process by indicating your interest in a possible home sleep test (HST). Next, meet with a virtual clinician to determine if an HST is right for you. If approved the test will be mailed to your home. Once you have taken the HST, you’ll review results and discuss a personalized treatment plan with a licensed clinician. |
| Treat | If diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, your specialist will guide you through options such as, if appropriate, state-of-the-art auto-titrating CPAP for home delivery or alternative treatment option based on your diagnosis. |
| Support | Connect with GEMs coaching team for support and treatment advice to ensure success and compliance. Ongoing supplies can also be purchased easily and shipped to your door. |
What Does Diagnosing Sleep Apnea Mean?
A sleep apnea diagnosis might not seem like something to celebrate, but it actually means you’ve taken the first step to improving your quality of life. There are thousands of success stories for people combatting this condition, and yours can be one of them.
Once you start treating your sleep apnea, you’ll enjoy deep, restful sleep. This can unlock:
- More energy during the day,
- Mood improvements,
- Less dependency on caffeine to function
- Snoring can become a thing of the past for you and your bed partner, and
- Frequent awakenings in the middle of the night can be eliminated
A sleep apnea diagnosis and treating it also means you are lowering the risk of long-term issues, such as:
- High blood pressure,
- Heart arrhythmia,
- Vascular disease, and
- Heart attack or stroke
This can be the beginning of a happier, healthier life.
GEM SLEEP – Here to Support You
GEM SLEEP makes treating sleep apnea easier and faster than traditional sleep clinics. You don’t have to navigate sleep apnea alone. With an all-virtual care model, you can diagnose and treat sleep apnea from your own home.
Technology makes diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea possible. GEM’s high-tech high-touch model offers simplicity and skilled clinical care. Our team has years of experience helping people find the treatment approach that works best for their lives.
Testing and Understanding Your Sleep Apnea
Many people associate sleep studies with discomfort or inconvenience. And sleep clinics can feel overwhelming and intimidating.
GEM helps patients understand whether sleep apnea testing is appropriate through a simple questionnaire. Our Sleep Quiz asks the same questions a sleep expert asks to indicate if further testing is required. Based on results from this quiz, a home-sleep test may be suggested.
Common questions about the GEM SLEEP Process include:
You meet with a clinician before taking a home sleep test (ensuring that the test will be appropriate) and after taking the home sleep test to understand your diagnosis and get a personalized treatment plan.
A home sleep test is a device, worn on your wrist with sophisticated sensors that provide a comprehensive sleep report. One the measurements is your Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI). The greater the number of events, the more likely you have sleep apnea.
Depending upon results, GEM SLEEP clinicians can provide you with customized treatment recommendations. You can read more about your AHI score here.
While no medical test is 100% perfect, a home sleep test is a clinically reliable tool for the evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea from the comfort of your own bed.
Taking a sleep test at home is less stressful and can happen within days instead of months in a brick-and-mortar sleep clinic. Most importantly, we make long-term sleep apnea management easy with convenient, personalized online support, on your schedule and from your home.
Information becomes empowering when paired with thoughtful guidance. That’s why having the support you need throughout the process becomes so important.
Personalized Treatment Solutions Matter
The best way to treat sleep apnea differs from one person to the next. GEM SLEEP clinicians help you identify the best treatment plan, walking you through the pros and cons of each treatment option based on your lifestyle, comfort and goals.
Common treatment options include:
- CPAP
- Medical weight loss with GLP-1 medications like terzepatide (Zepbound®)
- Oral appliance therapy (dental devices)
- Surgery
All treatment paths require a fine-tuning process. Once you get started, if things aren’t feeling quite right, GEM SLEEP coaches offer solutions and adjustments to make your treatment path successful.
What Better Sleep Unlocks
Beyond the physical health benefits of diagnosing and treating sleep apnea, you’ll likely experience:
- Increased daytime energy and mental clarity
- Improved mood and focus
- Reduced dependence on caffeine
- Quieter nights for your partner
By staying consistent with sleep apnea treatment, people often feel years younger. Gradual sustainable changes will happen with the right support. These outcomes are why GEM stays engaged throughout your journey.
You’re Not on Your Own with GEM SLEEP
GEM SLEEP was designed to provide an end-to-end solution for diagnosing, treating, and staying compliant with sleep apnea treatments.
GEM SLEEP offers the support you need to be successful, including:
- Regular coaching and clinician check‑ins
- Help with adjustments when something doesn’t feel right
- Access to purchase CPAP equipment and recurring supplies from home
- Pairing CPAP therapy with medical weight loss with GLP-1 medications.
Take the First Step Toward Better Sleep
Pay attention to your sleep, GEM SLEEP is here to help. Our goal is your goal: A Good Night’s Sleep. We won’t rest until you do.
Learn more by visiting mygemsleep.com
