Signs & Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

August 31, 2020 10:48 pm

Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder caused by a blocked airway. This condition causes you to repeatedly stop breathing while you’re asleep. Because it affects how much oxygen your brain gets during sleep, sleep apnea can lead to serious health issues. In this blog post, we discuss the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea.

Sleep Apnea Warning Signs

If you sleep next to a partner, they will likely notice a common sleep apnea sign: loud snoring. Restlessness is also common, so they may tell you that you’re tossing and turning all night. Other red flags include:

Waking up with a dry mouth and/or sore throat
Waking up gasping for air or feeling like you’re choking
Frequent headaches
Feeling sleepy and fatigued during the day, even if you went to bed at a normal time
Difficulty falling asleep at night
Irritability, anxiety, and/or depression
Feeling more forgetful than normal
Difficulty focusing on tasks during the day

Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea

While nearly anyone can develop sleep apnea, including children, there are certain factors that can increase your risk, such as:

Excess weight, especially around the neck
Being older
Being male
Smoking
Family history of sleep apnea

Sleep Apnea Treatment at Seastone Dental

In addition to our other comprehensive dental services, our Summerville dentists can help treat your obstructive sleep apnea. Treatments like an oral appliance, which fits like a retainer, open up your airway so you can breathe easily at night. So if you’re experiencing any of the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea, please contact our Seastone Dental office today for a consultation.

Categorised in: Sleep Apnea