Common Sleep Disorder Symptoms

 The word “sleep disorder” might be frightening, but is there really anything to be terrified of? Yes, according to experts, sleep problems such as sleep apnea may have a severe influence on our sleep and even our lives during the day. Sleep apnea, a sleep problem that affects millions of people in the United States alone, can have major health repercussions. Knowing the symptoms of sleep apnea is the first step in determining if you or a loved one requires expert medical care.

What Exactly is Sleep Apnea?

When you have sleep apnea, air does not flow to your lungs for 10 seconds or longer, causing you to stop breathing.

According to the American Academy of Sleep, around 80 to 90% of persons with OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) go untreated.

When your brain detects that you have stopped breathing, a control center in your brain causes you to wake up just enough to take a breath. Then you go back to sleep, and the cycle starts all over again. This can happen more than 30 times every hour in some people, even if you don’t recall waking up.

As you would expect, being startled back into breathing hour after hour, night after night, may be taxing on your body. You could feel

Common Symptoms

Common symptoms of sleep apnea: The first and most common sign of sleep apnea is usually observed by your partner: snoring. In addition to snoring, they might also tell you that you make gasping or choking sounds while asleep.

You might notice some other symptoms too such as

Snoring

Sleep Apnea-related snoring is persistent and loud, and may be punctuated by gasping, snorting, wheezing, or other noises that suggest the individual is trying to breathe.

Daytime sleepiness

Even the healthiest people become fatigued, but chronic, overpowering exhaustion is a frequent sign of Sleep apnea. Irregular breathing patterns during the night might prevent a person from receiving adequate sleep, resulting in severe tiredness the following morning.

Morning headaches

Unlike tension or migraine headaches, Sleep apnea-related headaches often last around an hour or two after awakening and then subside as the day progresses. Sleep apnea sufferers may feel headaches as a result of oxygen deprivation, which will resolve once regular daytime breathing resumes.

Mood

Sleep allows us to better manage our emotions and concentrate, so it stands to reason that a lack of sleep might contribute to anger and irrationality. Irritability, mood swings, general forgetfulness, and a sense of pessimism are some of the most common symptoms of Sleep apnea.

Other Symptoms Might Include 

• Night sweats
• Gasping for air
• Lack of energy 
• Forgetfulness 
• Difficulty Concentrating
• Sore throat in the morning

Because the person with sleep apnea is asleep when their breathing is interrupted, it might be difficult for them to recognize it.

As a result, for the majority of persons with sleep apnea, increasing daytime drowsiness is the first warning symptom they detect. They may be aware of this since it affects their

• Attention span Mood
• Concentration ability
• Workplace performance
• Relationships between people

Remember that these symptoms aren’t necessarily related to sleep apnea, so talk to your doctor about any concerns you have to get an appropriate diagnosis.

A person with sleep apnea is quite likely to be unconscious of breathing issues at night. A partner, family member, or roommate generally alerts the patient to their sleep problems. However, because of its frequency and possible health consequences, people should be aware of sleep apnea and seek treatment if necessary.

The Negative Impacts of Sleep Disorders

Many of these symptoms can make you sleepy all day, cause fatigued driving, and reduce your productivity, but they are not the only risks. Sleep apnea is frequently linked to other major medical disorders such as:

• Obesity
• Alzheimer’s\Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Heart-failure
• Depression
• Stroke

If you already have one of these disorders, OSA can aggravate it by putting extra strain on your body and immune system due to a lack of regular sleep.

What Are The Sleep Apnea Treatment Options?

Sleep apnea treatment options include lifestyle modifications, non-invasive therapies, and surgery. Some of the most prevalent forms of therapy are as follows:

• Changes in lifestyle
• Sleeping on your side as opposed to your back
• Increasing the height of your bed
• Stop smoking if you need to lose weight
• Avoid alcohol within four hours of going to bed
• Stopping the usage of sleeping pills

Dental Practice and Sleep Apnea

As part of a multidisciplinary care team, dentists may aid in providing optimal long-term treatment for patients with sleep apnea, including periodic dental and periodontal assessments, as well as the manufacturing and maintenance of appropriately fitting oral appliances that can be used safely over time.

 

Schedule Your Appointment

Sleep apnea is dangerous. As a result, if you suspect you have sleep apnea, it is critical to seek evaluation and treatment. Consult your healthcare practitioner if you observe any symptoms or early warning signs of sleep apnea. If the patient’s condition is not too bad, dental gadgets may give the alleviation they require! 

At Haven Dental we are thrilled to be able to provide patients with a dental alternative for sleep apnea therapy. At Haven Dental we have training in various sorts of sleep equipment and sleep apnea therapy, and we can collaborate with sleep specialists to give the best possible care.

To make an appointment with Haven Dental Center, please use our simple online form. Our patient’s comfort and overall experience are our top focus. To confirm your appointment, a member of our staff will contact you. We are looking forward to meeting you soon!