Sleep apnea is a serious disorder in which one repeatedly stops breathing for short periods, which can lead to complications. It causes the upper airways to shut off, and the oxygen supply gets cut. These are some symptoms of sleep apnea.
Snoring
Chronic and loud snoring is one of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea. It occurs due to partial blockage or obstructions. While snoring is a common symptom of this disorder, it does not always mean that the person has this disorder. Many people who snore might not have this disorder, while many who do not snore, might have it.
Frequent breaks or pauses in breathing
During apnea, the oxygen levels in the blood drop and cause the brain to wake itself from sleep and start your respiratory system to work correctly again. While the brain partially wakes up to respond to the interruption in breathing, you generally have no memory of the short wake period.
You frequently wake up with headaches
Headaches are quite common in this disorder. As the breathing happens in an interval, it reduces the oxygen supply to your brain. Due to low oxygen levels, blood vessels widen and can cause vascular headaches.
You are overweight or obese
In most cases, a person’s body weight is directly connected to having obstructive sleep apnea. This disorder is usually caused by excess fatty tissues that become built up in the neck and throat. The excess tissues slip back into the airways during sleep, causing obstructions and leading to apnea events.
You are tired, even though you think you are getting enough sleep
One of the most common symptoms of apnea is excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), which is often overlooked. Although you may think that you’ve had plenty of sleep, all the pauses and interruptions to your sleep add up to a lot of lost time in quantity and quality of sleep. Sleep deprivation can lead to difficulty waking in the mornings, lack of energy, dozing off at inappropriate times, or even serious accidents while driving.
Treatment
A simple mandibular advancement appliance can cure snoring or mild to moderate sleep apnea. Click here to read about this sleep apnea appliance.