Sleep apnea symptoms

Sleep apnea is a very serious sleeping disorder that if ignored can lead to serious health problems. It’s very common and is marked by shallow breathing during sleep, gasping for air, and even the total cessation of breathing all together. It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of this disorder so your physician is better able to diagnose the problem and treat it effectively.

The most common symptom of sleep apnea is loud and consistent snoring followed by gasping or snorting for air. The repeated gasping for air causes the normal sleep rhythm to be disrupted, breaking the cycle of restorative sleep. Patients often complain of being tired all the time while their partners complain of loud snoring. Because the individual is unable to breathe properly while sleeping the quality of sleep greatly diminishes leading to hypersomnia, or extreme fatigue during the day, morning headaches, dry/sore throat, and issues with memory. A lack of sleep itself brings about several other issues including irritability or moodiness, difficulty concentrating, and a general lack of interest in everyday things.

Because many of these symptoms are commonplace it can be difficult for a physician to diagnose sleep apnea during a regular doctor visit. If you suspect that you have sleep apnea it’s recommended that you obtain a referral from your doctor and make an appointment at a sleep disorder clinic for evaluation. They will be able to monitor you closely throughout the night and diagnose whether or not you’re suffering from sleep apnea.

Men are more likely than women to suffer from sleep apnea as are those who are overweight, and over the age of 65. Smokers may also be more likely to be diagnosed with the disorder and those who are related to someone who suffers from it (heredity factor).

The most commonly used treatment for sleep apnea features a device called a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. The machine pumps air continuously through a mask worn by the patient to provide consistent airflow during sleep. This eliminates the gasping for breath by allowing the patient access to total airflow during the entire sleep cycle.

More and more studies are showing that the lack of restorative sleep can have serious deleterious health effects including weight gain and all that is associated with it (high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, etc.). Not to mention the everyday bother of being tired all the time and not being able to fully concentrate on the task at hand. Snoring isn’t just snoring but could in fact be a sign of something more serious so be sure to speak with a physician if you have any questions or concerns.

Patrick Toms DMD is a leading Gainesville, GA dentist who specializes in CPAP alternatives in Gainesville, GA.