Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea results from a blockage of the airway while you sleep. It can cause the sufferer to awaken from sleep repeatedly throughout the night and, as a result, experience chronic fatigue.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form and occurs when the soft tissue in the rear of the throat collapses and blocks the airway. This is the most common type of sleep apnea.

Central sleep apnea (CSA) occurs when the brain fails to signal the muscles that control breathing, usually due to instability in the respiratory control center. This type of sleep apnea is often the result of another condition.

Sleep apnea is usually diagnosed through a sleep study. However, a physician may be able to make a diagnosis based on symptoms alone. The most common symptoms include:

Heavy sleep

Sleep apnea causes you to fall asleep easily, but you may wake up suddenly in the night, gasping for breath. You likely aren’t even aware that you’ve woken up. Your breathing will return to normal on its own, and you’ll fall back asleep again.

Loud snoring

Loud snoring is one of the main symptoms of sleep apnea. While snoring may be common, it is much more serious when accompanied by daytime fatigue, restlessness, and irritability. If left untreated, sleep apnea and snoring can lead to more serious health issues, including heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.

Choking or gasping

Apnea sufferers will often awaken gasping for air, which may happen dozens or even hundreds of times throughout the night, causing you to feel fatigued and irritable when you wake.

An apnea sufferer may also experience a choking or gasping sensation during the night. This happens when the throat muscles relax and obstruct the airway. These symptoms are often worse when you aren’t sleeping flat on your back or sleeping on a pillow that doesn’t properly support your neck.

Memory problems

Sleep apnea can affect memory in a number of ways. First off, someone with sleep apnea often has poor quality sleep. This can cause forgetfulness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Memory problems are also common because sleep apnea causes an imbalance in brain chemicals that can affect memory.

If sleep apnea goes untreated, it can lead to other health issues that have negative effects on memory. These include heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and stroke.

Morning headaches and migraines

Do you consistently wake up with a headache, or is your head pounding as you start your day? These symptoms may be a sign of sleep apnea.

If you frequently wake up throughout the night, your body never gets the chance to rest fully. Sleep apnea prevents you from breathing while you’re asleep, which lowers the amount of oxygen that reaches your brain.

Depression

Sleep apnea can cause depression. People with untreated sleep apnea may experience daytime fatigue, which can make person feel sad and depressed. A lack of quality sleep can cause irritability and depression. Treating sleep apnea can help reduce the symptoms of depression.

Depression is a serious mental health condition. It can affect people’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior. The condition can cause people to feel sad for long periods of time, lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, and have trouble sleeping or eating.

ADHD and ADD

Sleep apnea can cause ADHD and ADD. Children with sleep apnea often have difficulty staying awake in class. They may also have trouble focusing on tasks. If your child is diagnosed with sleep apnea, they may also notice an improvement in their ADHD symptoms. Their mood may improve as well.

ADHD can affect your child’s academic performance and social development. If your child is affected, your doctor may recommend a sleep study.

Irritability and fatigue

Sleep apnea can make it more difficult to stay awake throughout the day. This can cause you to be irritable or moody and can make completing tasks at work or in your free time very difficult. You may also feel fatigued throughout the day.

Our dental practice is equipped with the best cosmetic dentists and modern technologies that enable the best dental care for patients. For any queries relating to sleep apnea, call Colorado Wellness Dentistry at (303) 798-1068 or visit us at 9085 E Mineral Cir #220, Centennial, CO 80112.