Have you been experiencing disrupted sleeping patterns?  Do you often wake up in the middle of the night and feel fatigued all day long? Are you not able to concentrate? If yes, then these may be the symptoms of sleep apnea.

Sleep Apnea is a serious sleep disorder where people stop breathing while they are asleep. It is a chronic condition that disrupts sleep and causes panic attacks and anxiety. So, it is always better to look for signs and symptoms and rush to seek medical help to prevent it from getting worse. To help you inspect the situation better, here are five signs of the condition:

1. You feel tired all the time

You may think that you got plenty of sleep during the night. But, pauses and interruptions, while you are asleep, hampers your good night’s sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a significant cause of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). OSA is characterized by a chronic feeling of excessive daytime tiredness.

The typical symptoms of OSA are:

  • Lack of concentration
  • Difficulty in waking up in the morning
  • Lack of energy
  • Dozing off at inappropriate times

2. You wake up with headaches

If you wake up with a thumping head even if you feel you had enough sleep, you are probably not sleeping that well. This may happen because of frequent breaks in breathing that prevents oxygen from reaching your brain. Insufficient supply of oxygen causes the blood vessels to swell resulting in vascular headaches. Morning headaches can be a sign of a problem with your sleeping patterns. This can mean that you are not getting the amount of sleep that your body requires, and thereby, waking up with a pounding headache.

3. You gasp in your sleep

When you sleep, all the muscles of your body relax including the muscles in the air gap at the back of your throat. If the air gap becomes too narrow or thin, air struggles to get through, which is a sign that you aren’t getting enough oxygen. As a result, you may gasp for breath. Additionally, being overweight, consuming excessive alcohol and caffeine, and smoking can be a significant contributor to this problem.

4. You wake up frequently to use the restroom

How many trips do you make in the night to use the bathroom? It is normal to wake up once or twice during the night to urinate, but if you make more trips than that, then that can be a symptom of sleep apnea. When your body is not getting enough oxygen, it releases a hormone that causes increased urination. It is recommended that you visit your doctor to be sure about the exact reason for such a problem.

5. You snore too loud

Loud snoring is the most common sleep apnea symptom. This sound is produced by the vibrations in the upper respiratory airway during sleep. It may be the result of blockage or obstructions that are preventing the air to move smoothly through the airway. While snoring is common among sleep apnea patients, it is not necessary that the person has a sleep disorder if they snore loudly. Snoring can also be a result of cough or cold.

 

It is better to ask a professional to be sure if you have sleep apnea. At Edmonton Smiles, our dentists have options to treat sleep apnea. Call or book an appointment today at Edmonton Smiles for sleep apnea consultation.

Posted in Sleep Apnea