Sleep Apnea More Than Interrupted Sleep

Obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep issues can get frustrating over time. It isn’t easy to function, let alone work and raise a family or go to school, if you aren’t getting a solid, good night’s sleep. Sleep is vital for emotional and physical health, so when your sleep is interrupted by sleep apnea or other sleep disorders, you need to do something about it. Quality sleep is possible with the diagnosis and treatment by a professional sleep center. Our sleep doctors are ready to run tests and find the right course of action to help you live a better life.

Sleep apnea is one of the most common interrupting disorders of sleep. One of the most common signs of obstructive sleep apnea is loud and chronic ongoing snoring. There may also be pauses in the snoring and then choking or gasping for air may follow the pauses. Experts note that the snoring or gasping typically happens when you’re asleep so you may not even know if you’re having problems breathing or be able to decipher just how serious the problem may be. People sleeping next to you… well they may be able to tell a different story. It may not occur every night but over time, the snoring could become more often and get louder and louder – and this means interrupting their sleep too!

While not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, there are other signs you can watch for besides waking up gasping for air or having your partner tell you all about waking them up. People with sleep apnea may also be tired during work or while driving. Daytime sleepiness can be so bad that you find yourself randomly falling asleep during quiet moments in the day. Daytime sleepiness is a possible sign, but it is important to talk to a sleep doctor even if you’re rested during the day if you suspect that you’re having breathing problems during sleep, as this can still be dangerous.

Other signs and symptoms of sleep apnea can include but are not limited to morning headaches, memory and learning problems, difficulty concentrating, feelings of irritability, depression, mood swings, personality changes, waking up frequently to urinate or a dry, sore mouth when you wake up in the morning. If you deal with any of these symptoms and suspect breathing problems in your sleep, contact our sleep lab to speak with a sleep doctor. Treatment usually consists of lifestyle changes, mouthpieces, breathing devices, or possibly surgery. Our goal is always to restore regular breathing during sleep and reliving symptoms like loud snoring and daytime sleepiness. Sleep apnea taking its toll on you? Call us today!