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Symptoms of Sleep Apnea Northern Arizona

Knowing When to Seek Care

Nearly 75% of all people with obstructive sleep apnea tend to be undiagnosed. This can sometimes be due to the difficulty in recognizing the signs and symptoms of the situation. In some cases, people might not be getting plenty of quality rest only because they haven’t realized that the cause is sleep apnea. To avoid this, read on to learn more about the typical indications of sleep apnea, how to identify them, and the right time to look for help from a qualified professional.

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How to Identify Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

While there are many cases of sleep apnea, recognizing the symptoms and signs of this disorder is not always simple. For those who rest in bed by themselves, this can be even more difficult to do, as there isn’t someone there with them to note the existing indications. On your own, the best method to identify your symptoms is by jotting down how you feel every day after sleeping and figuring out if the symptoms are chronic or infrequent. If you notice that your condition isn’t getting any better or is starting to worsen, it’s best to seek care from a sleep apnea doctor/expert so they can help evaluate your situation.

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Most Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Loud snoring tends to be one of the main and obvious indications of sleep apnea, and it’s especially noticeable if you have a bed partner. That said, snoring on its own isn’t the only sign of this disorder, and just because you snore doesn’t signify that you have sleep apnea. Here are some of the other important signs that you might be struggling with this condition:

· Morning headaches: Your brain might receive less oxygen if you repeatedly stop breathing during rest. Your blood vessels can end up widening as well, leading to headaches. If you notice this happening regularly, it’s a good idea to mention this to your doctor.

· Daytime fatigue: It’s possible to feel incredibly tired even after going to bed, as you might not be staying asleep sufficiently throughout the night. If this occurs for days, weeks, or months, you might even end up developing issues like mood changes, memory loss, and trouble with concentration.

· Hypertension: Not getting enough oxygen during sleep can start to put too much strain on your heart. This can raise your chances of cardiovascular problems, such as high blood pressure.

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Next Steps for Sleep Apnea Treatment

By visiting our team at Sleep Better Southwest, you can discuss your concerns about your symptoms and we’ll be able to develop a personalized treatment plan for you so that you can get better rest. Make sure to inform us about any signs and symptoms that you might have noticed on your own so that we can keep them in mind while strategizing the best solution for your situation. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions or if you notice any problems that could be related to sleep apnea, and we’ll be glad to help.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea FAQs

Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. However, loud snoring, including gasping, snoring, and choking, is the most obvious sign of sleep apnea. Snoring occurs when the tissues in the mouth, throat, and nose vibrate. This is commonly associated with sleep apnea because the muscles that support these tissues usually relax during sleep. When they relax too much, the tissues collapse, partially or completely blocking airway. Attempted breathing causes air to squeeze past the obstructing tissue, making them vibrate, causing the sound of snoring.

Morning headaches can be a sign of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea causes breathing to start and stop throughout the night. This results in oxygen deprivation that can be the direct cause of morning headaches. This type of headache is called a “hypoxic headache,” and they don’t usually last very long. Typically, hypoxic headaches last up to an hour. The best way to lessen these headaches is to make healthy lifestyle changes and seek sleep apnea treatment from a professional.

Yes, weight gain and sleep apnea can make each other worse. Excess weight, especially around the neck, can cause the airway to narrow and increase your risk of obstruction. Alternatively, when you have sleep apnea, you are more tired during the day, reducing your energy levels and exercise. This often has sufferers reaching for sugary, caffeinated drinks to be productive throughout the day. Ultimately, this makes it much easier for sleep apnea sufferers to gain more weight, adding to the cycle. Sleep apnea is also associated with other health conditions, like type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. These conditions have also been linked to weight gain.

Yes! Obstructive sleep apnea is estimated to affect between 4-7% of the general population. However, obstructive sleep apnea affects 30 to 40% of people who have hypertension. Of those who are diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, it is estimated that half of them have high blood sugar. For someone who doesn’t have sleep apnea, the blood pressure drops between 10-20% at night. People with severe obstructive sleep apnea don’t have this pattern, increasing their risk of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, those with obstructive sleep apnea often experience sudden, pronounced elevation of blood pressure when they wake up in the morning. When someone with OSA experiences a cessation in breathing, it activates their sympathetic nervous system, causing blood pressure to rise. Hypertension can be improved with health lifestyle habits and by undergoing sleep apnea treatment.

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