Far too many people around the world are living with either undiagnosed or untreated sleep apnea. If you chronically snore, wake up every morning feeling unrested, and start the day with chronic headaches, all of these could be symptoms of sleep apnea. The team at Acton Dental Associates in Acton, Massachusetts, wants to arm their patients with the knowledge of sleep apnea warning signs.
Knowing the symptoms of sleep apnea is incredibly important as it will allow for early detection and fast treatment. This list will detail the top 10 symptoms of sleep apnea.
- Chronic Snoring: Snoring is very common, especially in individuals with sleep apnea. The snoring associated with this condition tends to be loud, chronic, and disruptive. Partners or family members may notice that the snoring is particularly loud and may include gasping or choking sounds.
- Periods of Stopped Breathing: Partners or family members may observe episodes during sleep where the affected individual stops breathing for a few seconds or longer, followed by a sudden gasp or snort as breathing resumes. These pauses in breathing can be characteristics of sleep apnea.
- Daytime Drowsiness: People suffering from sleep apnea often experience negative occurances, including daytime sleepiness, which happens no matter how much time is spent in bed. This can manifest as frequent napping, difficulty staying awake during sedentary activities like watching TV or reading, and an overall feeling of fatigue and drowsiness throughout the day.
- Headaches When Waking Up: Starting your day with chronic headaches is not normal and can be a common symptom of sleep apnea. These headaches may also be due to the apnea episodes.
- Difficulty Concentrating and Memory Problems: Sleep apnea can lead to cognitive fog and decreased function, leading to difficulty concentrating, memory issues, and reduced alertness during the day. This can affect performance at work or school and increase the risk of accidents.
- Mood Changes and Irritability: Chronic sleep deprivation caused by sleep apnea can lead to mood disturbances such as irritability, depression, and anxiety. Individuals may find themselves feeling more easily frustrated, short-tempered, or emotionally volatile.
- Frequent Nighttime Urination: Nocturia, or the need to urinate frequently in the night hours, is a common symptom of sleep apnea. The frequent awakenings caused by apnea episodes disrupt sleep patterns and can lead to increased nighttime urination.
- Sore Throat/Dry Mouth: Waking up with a scratchy, dry throat and mouth is unpleasant and can be indicative of breathing through the mouth during sleep, which is often seen in individuals with sleep apnea.
- Decreased Libido: Sleep apnea can lead to hormonal imbalances and decreased libido or sexual desire in both women and men.
- High Blood Pressure: Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a common comorbidity of sleep apnea. If you have unexplained high blood pressure, it’s worth exploring the possibility of sleep apnea as a contributing factor.
If you or someone you know is experiencing one or more of these warning signs, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation and appropriate management. Early detection and treatment of sleep apnea can significantly improve the quality of life and reduce the risk of associated health complications. If you are looking for sleep apnea treatment, please reach out to the team at Acton Dental Associates in Acton, MA, by calling (978) 881-5826.