Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that can affect an individual for a variety of different reasons. There are several symptoms and causes of sleep apnea that can help provide a proper diagnosis. However, sleep apnea can be difficult to self-diagnose and as a result, can go undetected for years.
Since sleep apnea occurs during sleeping hours, an individual who lives alone might not be aware of their sleep apnea. Oftentimes, it’s a bed partner who alerts the sleep sufferer of their loud snoring or gasps for air, as it also affects the non-suffering sleep apnea person. It can be easy to brush off or misinterpret symptoms of fatigue, irritability, or insomnia. If you do experience any of the symptoms associated with sleep apnea, contact our Bryan, TX dentist, Dr. Reece, for a consultation.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
It’s extremely important to pay close attention to our bodies. In doing so, we may be able to identify abnormalities in our bodies, energy, and overall health. If you constantly suffer from extreme fatigue, loud snoring, or choking, you may be living with a sleep disorder. Although not all snoring is directly caused by sleep apnea, it is a common symptom of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
One of the most recognizable symptoms of sleep apnea is the chronic, raucous breathing. Because soft tissue blocks airflow, individuals with sleep apnea snore loudly as they struggle to inhale and exhale. These breathing problems caused by OSA may affect a person’s ability to get a full night’s rest – leading to:
- Daytime fatigue and sleepiness
- Grogginess during the day
- Morning headaches
- Insomnia
- Memory loss
- Difficulty concentrating
- Nocturia
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat
- Night sweating
Causes of Sleep Apnea
Causes of Sleep Apnea
While there is no single cause of sleep apnea, there are certain health and behavioral factors that can increase an individual’s risk of developing this condition. However, there are certain risk factors that should be considered and could be related to sleep apnea, such as genetic predisposition and weight.
Other factors that may play a role in your sleep apnea diagnosis include:
- Gender
- Menopause
- Obesity
- Body type – large neck
- Suffering from hypertension
- GERD (gastro-enteral reflux disease) acid reflux
It’s important to note that although sleep apnea is treatable, it may not always be prevented. As mentioned, sleep apnea is a hereditary condition meaning that a person who has a family history of sleep apnea may not live unscathed.
Why Sleep Apnea Can Be Dangerous
Why Sleep Apnea Can Be Dangerous
Living with an untreated sleep disorder such as sleep apnea can be dangerous and in the most severe cases, deadly. In fact, individuals with an untreated and undiagnosed sleep disorder live with three times the risk of premature death.
There are consequences of neglecting treatment. Some of the long-term consequences of sleep apnea and the associated sleep deprivation include a higher risk of:
- Depression
- Stroke
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
