Sleep apnea is a common condition affecting numerous people. It can trigger quick breathing pauses while sleeping and result in dangerous medical conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure, if left without treatment.
Sleep apnea can lead to loud snoring, choking, or gasping while sleeping, which can interrupt not just the person with the problem but also their bed partner or others close by.
This article will discuss the common sleep apnea signs you shouldn’t disregard, along with the treatment options available. By doing this, you can act proactively to improve your condition before it becomes serious and lead a more satisfying life.
Common Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Other sleep apnea symptoms are more noticeable than others, but here are some that should not be overlooked:
Loud Snoring
Snoring frequently and loudly is the most typical sleep apnea symptom. The snoring is usually disrupted by pauses in breathing, followed by gasping or choking sounds as the person attempts to breathe again. Make sure to explain this to your doctor if you experience these symptoms to know the proper snoring treatment.
Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding or bruxism may indicate sleep apnea because sleep apnea can interrupt your sleep cycle, resulting in numerous bodily reactions like teeth grinding. Their air passage becomes partly or fully blocked during sleep, causing them to stop breathing briefly until their brain realizes they need to breathe again, resulting in interruptions in sleep.
Also, bruxism can damage or wear down your teeth, which may lead to losing them. If that happens, you can address this by consulting a cosmetic dentistry doctor that can help you learn more about the best treatment for you.
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
Excessive daytime sleepiness is another common symptom of sleep apnea. If you have this problem, you usually feel exhausted and drowsy during the day because you’re not having a quality restful sleep at night. As a result, you might have difficulty focusing, experience memory loss, and be less productive in general.
Morning Headaches
A morning headache can be a sleep apnea symptom caused by lowered oxygen levels when sleeping. See a doctor if you often suffer from morning headaches.
Irritability and Mood Changes
Sleep apnea can also trigger irritability, mood changes, and a lack of patience. This can trigger problems in personal relationships and at work. If you see this happening, be sure to inform your doctor.
High Blood Pressure
Finally, sleep apnea can lead to hypertension. If your breathing is interrupted while sleeping, your blood pressure might spike. This can lead to hypertension, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Sleep Apnea Treatment Options
You can control your symptoms and lead a much better life with the help of many sleep apnea treatments. The most common sleep apnea treatment options are listed here.
CPAP Therapy
This is the most common and successful treatment for sleep apnea. A mask covering the mouth and nose keeps the air passage open throughout this treatment. If you have sleep apnea, CPAP therapy is an excellent option to lower your risk of complications, improve the quality of your sleep, and lessen the number of times you wake up at night.
Oral Devices
Oral appliances from a general dentistry specialist are another treatment option for sleep apnea. These oral devices maintain the airway open by repositioning the jaw and tongue when they are used. They are typically recommended for people with light to moderate sleep apnea who can not endure CPAP therapy.
Lifestyle Changes
Making lifestyle changes can also be an effective way to deal with sleep apnea. You can reduce the extent of your symptoms by losing weight, quitting smoking, refraining from alcohol, and not using sedatives. Furthermore, sleeping on your side instead of your back can help to maintain your airway open throughout sleep.
Surgery
In severe conditions, surgery might be the only option. Surgery can help open your airway by widening and reshaping the structures around it. It is commonly advised for individuals with severe sleep apnea who can not use other therapies.
Final Thoughts
Sleep apnea is a severe condition that needs treatment to prevent severe health problems. Get medical treatment if you encounter any of these common symptoms. Seek assistance and talk to your doctor regarding which treatment option is best for you. The right treatment will help you get a good night’s sleep and feel relaxed and refreshed the following day, reducing your symptoms.
