What if Santa had sleep apnea?

'Tis the season to be jolly! But what if Santa Claus was facing a less than merry problem like untreated sleep apnea?  

Santa could have primary risk factors for sleep apnea like other elderly, overweight males.¹ This means Santa should speak to his doctor if he’s experiencing poor sleep or finds himself getting tired during the day.  

As we approach the festive season, let's go on a journey to the North Pole and explore the hiccups Santa might encounter as someone with undiagnosed sleep apnea. 

Santa’s daytime drowsiness creates dilemmas 

Santa’s bustling North Pole workshop starts to resemble a scene from a sloth documentary. The elves, who are used to the jolly old man's energised presence, wait for instructions as Santa dozes off in his oversized chair. Present orders are delayed, toy assembly lines come to a standstill, and the entire production schedule falls into disarray. Mrs. Claus, armed with a cup of cocoa, rallies the elves to keep the toy-making magic alive while Santa catches a few winks. It's a dilemma that even the peppiest of elves can't jingle all the way out of! 

Excessive daytime sleepiness is a frequent symptom of obstructive sleep apnea.¹ If you’re struggling with drowsiness, it might be a sign to get your sleep health checked.

Santa’s reindeer stage a rebellion 

Santa's reindeer have had enough! Santa is getting very grumpy ahead of Christmas. His moods can be more unpredictable than the weather at the North Pole. All nine reindeer to stage a full-scale rebellion led by Rudolph. They've gone on a labour strike, refusing to fly until Santa gets his sleep apnea in check. Elves are now working overtime to persuade them to end the protest and take to the skies.  

If you’ve ever felt cranky after a poor night’s sleep, you’ll understand how Santa feels. Irritability can be a sign of undiagnosed sleep apnea.¹ If you’ve been experiencing low moods and a lack of sleep, it might be time to seek help.  

Sleepy Santa causes gift mix-ups galore 

Imagine Santa, after a long night of gift deliveries, dozing off mid-flight in his sleigh. His excessive levels of sleepiness could lead to some major gift mix-ups. You ask for a brand-new gaming console, but Santa gets brain fog and slips through the wrong chimney! Instead of a PS5, you get Aunt Edna's fruitcake from three doors down. Ho-ho-whoops. 

Reduced focus is a common symptom of obstructive sleep apnea.1 If you’re having trouble concentrating throughout the day, it might be time to speak to your doctor.  

Santa displays clumsy chimney landings 

As Santa attempts to slide down chimneys with the grace of a ballerina, his fatigue might get the better of him. He's been known to trip, tumble, and even wedge himself headfirst into a chimney. Santa’s landing style could use some work! 

Recent research suggests that people with obstructive sleep apnea show signs of impaired hand-eye coordination.²  

Rhythmic snores signal Santa’s arrival  

It's no longer the jingle of bells that signals Santa's arrival. It's a symphony of snores that announces his entrance. Residents around the world have taken to recording and sharing his lullabies on social media, and it's all the rage. Move over, Mariah Carey – Santa's sleep apnea serenades are the new holiday hits! 

Loud snoring that features gasping or choking sounds is often a tell-tale sign that a person has obstructive sleep apnea.1  

In all seriousness, untreated sleep apnea is no laughing matter. It can lead to serious health complications and diminished quality of life.1 If Santa were real, we'd recommend he see a sleep specialist. If diagnosed with sleep apnea, treatments such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy and lifestyle changes are recommended. 

As for the rest of us, let Santa's (hypothetical) misadventures be a reminder to take our sleep health seriously. After all, nobody wants to fall asleep on the job, mix up gifts, stumble down chimneys, deal with rebellious reindeer, or become the neighbourhood’s snore superstar during the holiday season! 

Here's to a silent and restful night for Santa and all of us this holiday season. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with the joy of deep, peaceful slumbers! 

ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE. You should speak to your doctor about your symptoms and whether a CPAP device is suitable for you.