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Top 10 Signs of Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea Treatment

Did you know that about 80% of sleep apnea sufferers aren’t even aware that they have it? There are many signs of sleep apnea, but you may not have all of them. If you receive a sleep apnea diagnosis, our team can offer you solutions, including a custom-made oral appliance that opens your airway while you sleep. Check out the top ten signs of sleep apnea, and be sure to contact us for sleep apnea remedies.

Ten Signs You May Have Sleep Apnea

You may have obstructive sleep if you experience some or all of the following ten symptoms:

  1. Snoring – Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, but snoring is one of the most common symptoms. People who have sleep apnea snore because their airways become partially or completely obstructed. Sleep apnea patients stop breathing while sleeping, and snoring is another symptom.
  2. Difficulty Concentrating – Sleep apnea disturbs your sleep patterns, so those who suffer from it may have difficulty concentrating during the day, similar to people who don’t get enough sleep. Sleep apnea brain fog is common, as is fatigue from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea has been shown to change the brain’s chemistry, making it more challenging to concentrate. Sleep apnea patients may operate in a heightened, frazzled state.
  3. Irregular Breathing – Sleep apnea consists of multiple pauses in breathing while you are sleeping. These pauses are known as apneas and may last as long as 30 seconds. The apneas can be silent or sound like choking or gasping. Waking up gasping for air is often a symptom of sleep apnea.
  4. Morning Headaches – The lack of regular breathing impacts oxygen levels in people with sleep apnea. Since our brains want to conserve oxygen levels, they dilate their arteries to increase blood flow. This process increases pressure in the skull, resulting in morning headaches. The headaches often fade away within the first few hours of waking after normal breathing and oxygen consumption resumes.
  5. Daytime Fatigue – If you have sleep apnea, you’re likely tired during the day, even if you get eight hours of sleep. Sleep apnea makes it difficult to get the amount of deep sleep you need. Severe sleep apnea can make it very difficult to have enough energy to get everything done during the day.
  6. Dry Mouth – We often hear the question, “Is dry mouth a symptom of sleep apnea?”. The answer is yes, it can be. Obstructive sleep apnea symptoms include dry mouth upon waking. This happens because airways narrow or collapse during sleep, making it difficult to breathe through the nose. Dry mouth can trigger other symptoms, including bad breath, sore throats, and persistent thirst.
  7. Irritability – Sleep apnea can make people feel moody and irritable. That’s because your brain doesn’t have access to enough of the chemical that regulates emotions and helps you stay calm. This can lead you to snap at people easily or be quick to anger. You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that sleep apnea treatment options can boost your mood.
  8. Frequent Waking – People with sleep apnea often find themselves waking up frequently throughout the night. Some people wake up during the night to use the restroom, while others wake up due to chronic pain, feeling hungry, or drinking caffeine before bed. If none of these apply to you, you might be waking up from sleep apnea.
  9. Memory Loss & Forgetfulness – Sleep apnea and memory loss often go hand in hand. Sleep apnea and concentration problems are also linked. People who have sleep apnea often struggle to remember things or feel forgetful. Exhaustion can also make you feel foggy if you suffer from sleep apnea.
  10. High Blood Pressure & Stress – Sleep apnea reduces the amount of oxygen you can take in while you sleep, often leading to poor cardiovascular health. Your heart needs oxygen to work correctly, and without enough, it causes your heart to work harder to pump blood. This causes high blood pressure, which can increase stress.

Sleep Apnea Treatment Options

Now that you know more about sleep apnea causes and the effects of sleep apnea, it’s time to get a better night’s sleep with Twin Aspen Dental Center. Our dentists can help you with your sleep apnea with the use of an oral appliance. We can answer your questions about sleep apnea symptoms in men vs. sleep apnea symptoms in women, how to diagnose sleep apnea, what is a CPAP machine used for, what are the warning signs of sleep apnea, and silent sleep apnea symptoms. Contact us
today to request a consultation.

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