Sleep apnea is a common problem affecting countless individuals. It can cause quick breathing pauses while sleeping and result in dangerous health problems, including heart problems, stroke, and hypertension, if left untreated.
Sleep apnea can trigger loud snoring, choking, or gasping during sleep, disturbing not just the person with the problem but also their bed partner or others close by.
This article will review the common sleep apnea symptoms you should pay attention to, as well as the treatment options available. This way, you can act proactively to improve your condition before it becomes serious and lead a more satisfying life.
Common Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Other sleep apnea symptoms are more obvious than others, but listed below are some that must not be overlooked:
Loud Snoring
Snoring often and loudly is the most typical sleep apnea symptom. The snoring is often interrupted by pauses in breathing, followed by gasping or choking sounds as the person tries to breathe again. Be sure to describe this to your doctor if you experience these symptoms.
Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, can be a symptom of sleep apnea because sleep apnea can interrupt your sleep cycle, leading to various bodily reactions, including teeth grinding. Their airway becomes partially or fully blocked during sleep, causing them to stop breathing briefly until their brain realizes they need to breathe again, causing disruptions in sleep.
Also, bruxism can ruin or wear down your teeth, which might result in losing them. If that occurs, you can fix this by consulting an aesthetic dental care doctor that can help you discover more about the best treatment for you.
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
Excessive daytime drowsiness is another common symptom of sleep apnea. If you have this problem, you usually feel exhausted and drowsy throughout the day because you’re not having quality, peaceful sleep at night. As a result, you may have problems concentrating, experience memory loss, and be less efficient overall.
Morning Headaches
A morning headache can be a sleep apnea symptom caused by reduced oxygen levels when sleeping. See a medical professional if you regularly suffer from morning headaches.
Irritability and Mood Changes
Sleep apnea can also cause irritation, mood changes, and a lack of patience. This can lead to problems in personal relationships and at work. If you see this happening, be sure to inform the sleep apnea doctors in Fairfield.
Hypertension
Finally, sleep apnea can result in high blood pressure. If your breathing is interrupted while sleeping, your blood pressure may spike. This can lead to hypertension, increasing the risk of heart problems and stroke.
Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
You can control your symptoms and lead a much better life through many sleep apnea treatments. The most common sleep apnea treatment options are listed here.
CPAP Therapy
This is the most common and successful solution for sleep apnea. A mask covering the mouth and nose keeps the air passage open throughout this therapy. If you have sleep apnea, CPAP therapy is a good option to reduce your risk of complications, improve the quality of your sleep, and lessen the number of times you wake up during the night. You can find more info right here.
Oral Appliances
Oral appliances are another treatment option for sleep apnea. These oral appliances maintain the airway open by repositioning the jaw and tongue when they are used. They are often advised for people with mild to moderate sleep apnea who can not tolerate CPAP therapy.
Lifestyle Changes
Making lifestyle changes can also be an effective way to manage sleep apnea. You can reduce the extent of your symptoms by reducing weight, quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol, and not using sedatives. Furthermore, sleeping on your side instead of your back can help to keep your airway open throughout sleep.
Surgery
In serious cases, surgery might be the only option. Surgery can help open your air passage by expanding and reshaping the structures around it. It is usually advised for people with serious sleep apnea that can not use other treatments.
Bottom Line
Sleep apnea is a severe problem that requires treatment to prevent severe health problems. Get medical attention if you experience any of these common symptoms. Seek assistance and consult with your doctor regarding which treatment option is suitable for you. The best treatment will help you have a good night’s sleep and feel relaxed and refreshed the following day, reducing your symptoms.
