Think back to the last time you didn’t get the sleep you needed. How did it make you feel the rest of the day? Was it difficult to get work done? Did you almost get into an accident on your way to work? Drowsiness and fatigue is one of the most common issues facing working people, and this issue is only exacerbated if they have sleep apnea.
In honor of National Sleep Awareness Week, running from March 3rd to the 10th, learn if your symptoms are tied to sleep apnea in Norman!
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a chronic sleep disorder that prevents you from getting the rest you need. The most common from is known as obstructive sleep apnea or OSA. This condition develops as a result of physical blockages in the throat, typically by the tongue or soft/hard palate. Another form of sleep apnea includes central sleep apnea, which occurs when the brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles responsible for breathing while sleeping.
What are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
As a result of conditions like OSA, the blockage triggers an emergency response in the body, forcing you to wake up and kickstart breathing again. While it’s a good thing that the body prevents you from suffocating in your sleep, it certainly doesn’t make it easy to get the hours you need to get through the day. Therefore, it’s essential that you are aware of the symptoms tied to this chronic condition. The most common symptoms include:
- Loud snoring
- Consistent episodes involving choking or gasping in the middle of the night
- Waking up with dry mouth
- Morning headaches or migraines
- Insomnia
- Excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating or staying awake
- Irritability
Are You at Higher Risk?
Even if you don’t have notable symptoms at this time, you’ll still want to be on the lookout for risk factors that could potentially develop into symptoms and eventually sleep apnea. Take note of the most common factors below in order to protect yourself or a family member. They include:
- Being male
- Being over the age of 40
- Obesity
- Having excess fat around the neck
- Using alcohol, sedatives or tranquilizers
- Smoking
- Having nasal congestion either from anatomical issues or allergies
Why You Should Seek Treatment
While getting a good night’s sleep should be a very high priority, it’s not the only reason you should seek treatment. In fact, there are many complications that can arise as a result of sleep apnea. Daytime fatigue is the most obvious complication that can affect productivity and concentration, but sleep apnea can also result in:
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular problems
- Type 2 diabetes
- Metabolic syndrome
- Complications tied to medications and surgery
- Liver problems
Don’t wait to get your sleep apnea symptoms treated. Schedule an appointment with a dentist in Norman to get an oral appliance made that makes breathing easier while you sleep!
About the Author
Dr. Bobby J. Carmen earned his DDS degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. He’s dedicated thousands of hours continuing his education on a wide variety of dental topics, including the diagnosis and treatment of chronic conditions like sleep apnea. To learn more about his practice, you can contact him through his website.