Sleep apnea is a common disorder affecting millions of individuals. It can cause brief breathing pauses while sleeping and lead to dangerous medical conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure if left untreated.
Sleep apnea can cause loud snoring, choking, or gasping during sleep, which can disturb not only the person with the condition but also their bed partner or others nearby.
This article will discuss the common sleep apnea symptoms you shouldn’t ignore, 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 fulfilling life.
Common Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Other sleep apnea symptoms are more noticeable than others, but here are some that should not be ignored:
Loud Snoring
Snoring frequently and loudly is the most common sleep apnea symptom. The snoring is usually interrupted by pauses in breathing, followed by gasping or choking sounds as the person attempts to breathe again. Make sure to describe this to your doctor if you experience these symptoms.
Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding or bruxism can be a symptom of sleep apnea because it can disturb your sleep cycle, leading to various bodily responses, such as teeth grinding. Your airway becomes partially or fully blocked during sleep, causing you to stop breathing briefly until your brain realizes you need to breathe again, leading to disruptions in sleep.
Additionally, bruxism can damage or wear down your teeth, which might result in losing them. If that occurs, you can address this by speaking with a cosmetic dentistry doctor to help you find out more details about the most effective treatment.
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
Excessive daytime sleepiness is another common symptom of sleep apnea. If you have this condition, you often feel tired and drowsy during the day because you’re not getting quality restful sleep at night. As a result, you may have trouble focusing, experience memory loss, and be less productive 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 irritability, mood changes, and a lack of patience. This can cause problems in personal relationships and at work. If you notice this happening, make sure to tell your doctor.
High Blood Pressure
Finally, sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure. If your breathing is disrupted while sleeping, your blood pressure may spike. This can result in hypertension, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
You can manage your symptoms and lead a healthier life with the help of many sleep apnea treatments. The most common sleep apnea treatment options are listed below.
CPAP Therapy
Sleep apnea treatment in Fairfield, CT, includes CPAP therapy, the most common and successful treatment. A mask covering the mouth and nose keeps the airway open throughout this treatment. If you have sleep apnea, CPAP therapy is a great option to lower your risk of complications, improve the quality of your sleep, and reduce the number of times you wake up at night.
Oral Appliances
Oral appliances are another treatment option for sleep apnea. These mouth devices maintain the airway open by repositioning the jaw and tongue when they are worn. They are typically recommended for people with mild to moderate sleep apnea who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy.
Check out general dentistry in Fairfield, CT, to learn more about this.
Lifestyle Changes
Making lifestyle changes can also be an effective way to manage sleep apnea. You can reduce the severity of your symptoms by losing weight, quitting smoking, refraining from alcohol, and not using sedatives. Additionally, sleeping on your side instead of your back can help to keep your airway open during sleep.
Surgery
In severe cases, surgery may be the only option. An operation can help open up your airway by widening and reshaping the structures around it. It is usually recommended for people with severe sleep apnea who cannot use other treatments.
Conclusion
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that requires treatment to prevent serious health complications. Get medical attention if you encounter any of these common symptoms. Seek help and talk to your doctor about which treatment option is best for you. The right treatment will help you get a good night’s sleep and feel relaxed and rejuvenated the next day, reducing your symptoms.
