Main Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition that occurs when breathing is interrupted during sleep. When breathing is interrupted, it causes oxygen levels in the body to decrease. In severe cases, oxygen levels can drop so low that it causes the heart to stop.

Sleep apnea affects seven percent of men and five percent of women. There are three types of sleep apnea:

• Central sleep apnea (CSA). CSA is associated with the central nervous system. It is the least common type of sleep apnea.
• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA occurs when the airway becomes blocked during sleep.
• Complex sleep apnea syndrome (CompSA). CompSA is a combination of CSA and OSA.

Here are some of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea:

Daytime Fatigue

People with sleep apnea will often fall asleep during the day, and their sleep may be very shallow. As a result, many people with sleep apnea feel tired during the day and have a hard time staying awake.

Frequent Urination

Sleep apnea can cause frequent urination. The muscles that open and close the airway can become chronically relaxed during sleep, which increases the risk of nighttime urination.

Loud Snoring

Loud snoring is a symptom of sleep apnea. During sleep, your throat muscles relax, which causes the tissue in the back of your throat to vibrate as you breathe. As your airway narrows, the tissue vibrates more, causing a snoring sound.

Choking or Gasping During Sleep

Some people with sleep apnea may wake up during the night with shortness of breath or choking. These symptoms can be a sign of an obstructed airway.

Sleep apnea can increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, heart problems, and diabetes.

Morning Headaches

Headaches while waking up can be a sign of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person stops breathing for brief periods while sleeping. This can happen as many as 30 times per hour. As you can imagine, this can stop you from getting a restful night’s sleep.

Memory Problems

Sleep apnea often causes poor memory. People who suffer from sleep apnea have episodes where they stop breathing throughout the night. This disrupts sleep and affects memory.

Memory issues include:

• Difficulty remembering recent events
• Difficulty paying attention
• Trouble with working memory
• Difficulty planning and organizing events
• Trouble with word finding

Mood Changes

When sleep apnea occurs, your brain awakens from a deep sleep, and your body is forced into a sudden state of alertness. This cycle of sleep and wakefulness can happen hundreds of times each night, causing the brain to become overtired. As a result, people with sleep apnea often experience mood changes.

If you are looking for the best dentist who will help you get your sleep apnea treated, visit ALLURE DENTAL at 8170 Maple Lawn Blvd, Suite 150, Fulton, MD 20759. Call us at (240) 456-0717 to book an appointment.