Are You Suffering From Sleep Apnea?
If you find that you’re consistently exhausted, even after getting a full night’s sleep, and you snore often, you may be dealing with something more serious than you may have realized. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where your breathing may stop and start repeatedly throughout the night. It’s important to understand the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea and to talk to your doctor to figure out if sleep apnea is affecting you and how you can treat it.
Signs of Sleep Apnea
It may be hard to tell if you’re being affected by sleep apnea, so it’s important to be aware of some common symptoms of sleep apnea. Some of these include:
- Loud, excessive snoring.
- Periods of stopping and restarting breath while sleeping.
- Gasping for air while asleep.
- Excessive dry mouth after sleep.
- Morning headaches.
- Difficulty staying asleep.
- Extreme sleepiness during the daytime.
- Trouble focusing during the day.
Snoring doesn’t always mean sleep apnea because not everyone who suffers from sleep apnea snores. However, if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, it’s important to contact your doctor as soon as possible to discuss if sleep apnea treatment is right for you.
Causes of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea can be caused by many issues, but some factors may put you more at risk for dealing with sleep apnea. Some of these risk factors include:
- A narrow airway.
- Alcohol or sedative use.
- Other medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or Parkinson’s disease.
- Nasal congestion.
Treating Sleep Apnea
Depending on the type of sleep apnea that you’re dealing with and what may be causing it, there are different types of treatment that your doctor may recommend. Some of these include:
- CPAP machine.
- Oral appliances.
- Supplemental oxygen.
- Treating any medical issues that may be causing sleep apnea.
Contact Your Doctor Today!
If you feel that you may be struggling with sleep apnea, it’s important that you contact your doctor as soon as possible for testing and to determine what treatment will work best for you!
