Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder associated with interrupted breathing while asleep. These interruptions or pauses in breathing can last a few seconds or minutes, and they usually happen as a result of blocked airways. This blog highlights signs you may be experiencing sleep apnea and explains how the condition is diagnosed and treated.
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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition that affects over 30 million Americans, according to the National Council on Aging. If left untreated, sleep apnea can cause potentially serious health problems, such as heart and kidney complications. The problem with this condition is that because it occurs when you are sleeping, it may be difficult for you to recognize the signs on your own, especially if you sleep alone. However, there are still some common signs that should prompt you to get checked and seek treatment for sleep apnea:
1. Loud and Persistent Snoring
One of the most common signs of sleep apnea is loud, persistent snoring. While snoring by itself does not always point to sleep apnea, it is a strong indicator, especially when it is paired with other signs. Snoring usually occurs when air fails to move freely through the throat or the nose during sleep. This can result from several issues, but for people with sleep apnea, snoring occurs due to the blockage of airways caused by relaxed throat muscles. This blockage causes tissues to vibrate, leading to loud snoring.
If your snoring is so frequent and loud that it disturbs other people, it might not be just typical snoring. To determine if your snoring is serious, you should pay attention to the feedback you are getting from your sleep partner. If you sleep alone, consider using a sleep tracker that records sound.
2. Short Pauses in Breathing While Asleep
Short pauses in breathing during sleep are another major sign of sleep apnea. This can last a few seconds or minutes and may occur repeatedly throughout the night. These pauses in breathing can be alarming to people who witness them, such as a sleep partner. During these episodes, the airways become blocked, causing the body to struggle to get adequate oxygen. Unfortunately, this can put a lot of pressure on your lungs and heart and can eventually lead to more serious medical conditions such as high blood pressure or heart disease. If you suspect that you are experiencing short pauses in breathing during sleep or your partner has witnessed you undergoing these episodes, it is important to get checked for sleep apnea to avoid the serious risks associated with this symptom.
3. Waking Up Gasping or Choking
Have you ever woken up suddenly gasping for air or feeling like you are choking? This could be a sign of sleep apnea. When your airways are blocked, your body reacts by forcing you to wake up so that you can start breathing again. This response can be frightening and can leave you feeling disoriented. If you have woken up choking or gasping for air on more than one occasion, it is possible that something is interfering with your breathing while sleeping. Your primary healthcare provider can evaluate you and provide a diagnosis.
4. Morning Headaches
Do you often wake up with a headache? While there are a lot of issues that can cause morning headaches, it could be a sign of sleep apnea if they occur frequently. When your breathing is interrupted during sleep, your body may fail to get adequate oxygen, which can lead to a build-up of carbon dioxide in your bloodstream. This can cause headaches, particularly when you first wake up. Morning headaches caused by sleep apnea typically feel like a dull, pressing pain and are usually located around the forehead or temples. The good news is that if sleep apnea is the cause, treating it will most likely resolve the headaches.
5. Excessive Sleepiness During the Day
Feeling excessively sleepy during the day, even after spending the whole night asleep, has to be one of the most obvious signs of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can interrupt your sleep without your knowledge. When your airways are blocked, the brain reacts by waking you up just enough for you to resume breathing. When this happens throughout the night, you might end up not reaching the deeper stages of sleep that are vital for rest. You then spend your days feeling tired and sleepy. Excessive sleepiness during the day can affect your ability to concentrate and significantly lower your overall quality of life. In some cases, people with sleep apnea may even fall asleep during activities like working or driving, which can be extremely dangerous.
How Is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?
While this condition can be difficult to diagnose, a clinician can determine if you have sleep apnea by conducting a sleep study, also known as polysomnography. This can be done in a sleep center or at home using portable equipment. During the sleep study, a clinician will monitor things like breathing patterns, oxygen levels, heart rate, and brain activity. If the test shows repeated pauses in breathing or reduced airflow while sleeping, a sleep apnea diagnosis may be made. In addition to the sleep study, your provider may ask about symptoms such as loud snoring, daytime fatigue, and morning headaches to help confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity of the condition.
Is There a Treatment for Sleep Apnea?
The appropriate treatment for sleep apnea depends on its severity and the patient’s needs. Dr. Kohani specializes in treating sleep apnea with a mandibular advancement device, which is a mouthpiece that comfortably repositions the jaw and tongue so it doesn’t block your airway while you sleep. Many sleep apnea patients find this modern solution quieter, smaller, and more convenient than traditional CPAP machines, which tend to be noisy. Lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, quitting smoking, and avoiding alcohol, can also help manage the condition. For severe cases, surgery to remove or shrink tissue obstructing the airway may be an option.
Interested in Sleep Apnea Treatment in San Diego, CA?
If you are looking for an experienced specialist to help you with the treatment of sleep apnea, Dr. Kohani of La Jolla Cosmetic Dentistry & Orthodontics can provide the answer. Dr. Kohani offers a mandibular advancement device—a modern solution to sleep apnea that can help you rest easy. Call us at 858-295-0603 or fill out our online contact form to book your appointment and improve your quality of sleep today.
