Sleep Apnea Symptoms: Sleepless Nights, Tired Days
Sleep apnea symptoms are often hard to see yourself, but easy for other people to diagnose. Have you ever slept in the same room as someone who snores and skips breaths at night? Well, those are clear symptoms of sleep apnea. These pauses can last longer than 10 seconds, and it can frighten others to hear someone stop breathing. The sufferer is usually unaware of it.
Snoring is the biggest giveaway when it comes to diagnosing sleep apnea. Someone who snores doesn't necessarily have sleep apnea, but someone who has obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) will almost certainly snore. OSA means that the airways through which you breathe can become obstructed. If they're partly obstructed, you'll snore.
If the airway becomes totally obstructed, you'll momentarily stop breathing. (An apnea is defined as stopping breathing for 10 seconds or more.) Apneas are not just a sleep apnea symptom; they are the very definition of the sleep disorder.
But the effects of sleep apnea don't just happen at night. Since you're not getting the restful sleep that you need, you'll probably feel daytime fatigue and sleepiness, possibly accompanied by grouchiness or depression. This leaves you more vulnerable to additional health problems. Be sure to discuss your symptoms with your doctor or dentist.
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.
Snore No More with Sleep Apnea Treatment
A snore is not a pleasant sound, especially not if it wakes you up in the middle of the night. Unfortunately, snoring is a fairly common problem. It's estimated that perhaps about a quarter of people snore, and older people are even more likely to snore.
Snoring is more than just a loud, rumbling noise; it's a sign that something else might be wrong. A snorer might have a sleep disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea, where the breathing tubes can become obstructed during sleep, costing the brain oxygen. Though snoring is not dangerous is and of itself, sleep apnea has been linked to a host of health problems, including heart disease and stroke.
Snoring is associated with higher risks of developing certain diseases and health problems. People who snore are statistically more likely to suffer heart attacks or stroke. It's also been shown that snoring treatment can improve the marital relationship between husband and wife!
To cure snoring, a sleep doctor or dentist needs to know what's causing the snores. If it's sleep apnea, the patient can be given a sleep apnea treatment such as a CPAP breathing mask to wear at night. In addition to curing snoring, sleep apnea therapy can also leave a patient happier and healthier overall.
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.