Talk to Us if You Struggle with Sleep Apnea Disorder Symptoms
Posted on 12/7/2020 by Treasure Valley Oral & Facial Surgery
Sleep apnea is characterized by loud sleep snoring sounds accompanied by sleeplessness or fatigue during the day or even at night. This is a common disorder that can seriously impact breathing and your health. It can cause breathing pauses that last from 10 seconds to 20 seconds.
Also, it may happen 5 to more than 100 times in just one hour, creating a shortage of oxygen to jolt you awake. These brief disruptions make you experience lighter sleep than deep, restorative sleep. In extreme cases, they can lead to potentially serious health problems. Sleep apnea can affect anyone, regardless of gender, and age, although it is more prevalent in men than women.
Causes of Sleep Apnea
There are many causes of sleep apnea just in the same way there are different types. Anatomical characteristics are the most common causes of this condition. They refer to the actual size and positioning of your neck, jaw, tonsils, tongue, and other issues that may interfere with direct airflow. The second cause is obesity and it leads to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by causing anatomical narrowing of your airway. The use of sedatives and alcohol can also lead to sleep apnea. They relax the tissue in your throat, thus obstructing your airway. Your family history is another common cause of OSA in addition to cigarette smoking, sleeping position, nasal congestion, and hormone abnormalities.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
To find out the symptoms of sleep apnea, you need to ask someone to monitor you as you sleep. You can also record yourself during bedtime to find out if you snore loudly, choke, snort, or gasp during sleep. Other symptoms may include waking up with a sore throat or dry mouth, morning headache, restless sleep, insomnia, and shortness of breath. Once you notice these signs, you can come to see us for proper diagnosis and treatment or call us for more advice.
