Do you often feel tired during the day, even though you think you’re getting enough sleep? You may be suffering from a sleep disorder like sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition that causes people to stop breathing during their sleep. This can lead to several health problems, including high blood pressure and heart disease. In this blog post, we will discuss the signs and symptoms
of sleep apnea so that you can determine if you need to see a doctor.
You might find yourself choking or gasping for breath as you wake up from sleeping too much. Your brain and body are deprived of oxygen, which causes severe side effects like headache and pain in the temples along with another physical discomfort that can’t be ignored.
The symptoms associated with obstructive sleep apnea include loud snoring noises repeatedly stopping during the REM stage (rapid eye movement) when breathing occurs normally due to blockages caused by soft tissue swelling around your neck causing difficulty swallowing; wakingup suddenly because there was no airflow through the nasal passage while simultaneously opening mouth wide enough so air could flow down the windpipe.
Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
You could have sleep apnea if:
- You wake up during the night with a dry or a sore throat.
- You snore loudly.
- You wake up from time to time gasping or choking.
- You feel extremely sleepy during the day.
- You lack energy in general.
- You suffer from headaches.
- You feel tired and irritable.
Common Treatment Types for Sleep Apnea
There are various ways sleep apnea can be treated, including:
CPAP Therapy. A CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure therapy) machine keeps your airways open as you sleep. The device uses mild air pressure and is attached to a mask or prongs that fit in your nose.
Alternatives. There are other alternatives if you don’t like the idea of wearing a mask to bed. You can choose to:
- Wear a dental or oral appliance. To find out more, this article, Pros and Cons of Dental Sleep Apnea Treatment Devices, provides the ways in which an oral appliance can help patients with sleep apnea, as well as the shortcomings of a using a dental device for sleep apnea.
- Have surgery. If oral appliances and CPAP don’t work for you, surgery is an option.
- Undergo a weight management program. Losing weight may help improve or eliminate your symptoms if you’re obese or overweight.
- Try positional therapy. Some people primarily suffer from sleep apnea when they sleep on their back. Positional therapy often involves wearing a device that keeps you sleeping on your side.
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, please get in touch with us for help. We can provide you with a sleep study and treatment options to get your nights (and days) back on track. With our help, you can start getting the rest your body and brain need to function at their best. Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea? What was the treatment plan that worked best for you?