Sleep apnea is a serious issue that concerns thousands of Americans each year. The condition can be fatal in some cases, making it all the more necessary to understand the symptoms. If you believe that you or somebody you love has sleep apnea, pay close attention to these types of symptoms that may appear:
Loud Snoring & Shortness of Breath
Does your loved one snore loudly and persistently with no signs of stopping throughout the night? This is one of the most common symptoms of the condition. These bouts of snoring are occasionally interrupted by an audible gasp for air. Sometimes there is a total pause in breathing altogether.
If you sleep alone and are unsure if you snore, look for signs of snoring like waking up with a sore throat or extreme dry mouth.
Memory Issues
Memory issues may be linked to lack of decent sleep, which is linked to sleep apnea. Those with the condition may also struggle to focus on tasks and concentrate at work or school. Eventually, you may notice that you have a harder time learning the new material because you struggle to retain it.
Children can also have sleep apnea, so parents should pay close attention to potential issues with performance at school to determine if apnea could be the cause.
Daytime Sleepiness
If you are feeling sleepy throughout the day, sleep apnea could be the cause. Feeling sleepy all day may also be linked to insomnia, depression, and irritability. Sometimes people seek to treat these symptoms rather than the cause, which can be a mistake.
Headaches
If you wake up in the morning with a headache, you might be suffering from apnea. The cause of these headaches is low levels of oxygen in the body, leading to widening blood vessels.
Understand Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea
Certain characteristics could indicate that you are more likely to have sleep apnea than others. For instance, those who are considered overweight are more likely to have the condition than others. Sleep apnea is also linked to narrow airways, age, family history, smoking, and congestion.
Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition. If you or somebody you love may have sleep apnea or a similar health issue, make an appointment with your healthcare professional today. If you have already been diagnosed with sleep apnea, make sure to talk to your dentist about getting a sleep apnea appliance. Special devices can be used to manage the health concern.
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