A good night’s sleep is crucial to maintain nutritional health. But getting enough sleep is next to impossible if you suffer from a sleep disorder like sleep apnea. The repeated pauses in breathing during sleep are a hallmark of the sleep disorder, also known as sleep apnea. If you suffer from sleep apnea, the muscles in your throat relax during sleep, which blocks your airway. This can block airflow for at least 10 seconds.
Being aware of the signs of sleep apnea is important because the issue is more other than sleep disturbances. People with sleep apnea usually suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, and excessive stress hormone levels. Over time, these factors increase your risk of developing diabetes and heart disease.
Sleep Apnea Indicators
Sleep apnea is associated with obesity, advanced age, a weak upper airway structure, and family background. In addition, those with larger neck diameters or soft upper airway tissue have a higher risk of developing the condition. This article will explain the different signs of sleep apnea and the ways you can recognize these signs.
1. Snoring
Snoring is among the most typical issues that develop from obstructive sleep apnea. Snoring doesn’t always mean that a person has obstructive sleep apnea. However, it can be a significant indication in some instances. People suffering from Obstructive sleep apnea typically have persistent snoring that is so loud that it wakes up the bed partner.
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2. Pauses in Breathing
Patients are suffering from sleep apnea with obstruction struggle to breathe because their airways are blocked during sleep. As this happens, breathing ceases, often followed by a desperate attempt to catch one’s breath. There are many instances where the patient goes back to sleep without realizing the events which just took place.
The issue, similar to snoring, is often observed by the bed partner or close family member. Breathing cessation can happen several times throughout the night in very stressful circumstances. You can find here articles and blog posts here for more info and treatment for sleep apnea.
3. Restless Sleep
With so many activities happening while you are asleep, you’ll be able to wake up feeling agitated. You could move about in your sleep, jerking at, kicking, or thrashing while the bedding you sleep on could be a mess the moment you awake.
Those who suffer from sleep apnea must also get up several times throughout the night to flush. It is believed that people with sleep apnea that is obstructive experience an increased urge to urinate due to the release of a hormone that works on the kidneys.
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4. Daytime Fatigue
Occlusive sleep apnea is the cause of insomnia that is disturbed due to frequent breathing interruptions and low oxygen levels. As a result, people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea might not feel refreshed upon waking and experience severe exhaustion throughout the day. This can further contribute to being irritable and having difficulty concentrating or focusing.
5. Morning Headache and Sore Throat
The lack of oxygen in your bloodstream is directly related to the frequency you stop breathing when sleeping. Insufficient blood supply to the brain and other organs causes carbon dioxide levels to increase. This contributes to headaches and could lead to other health issues. Dryness in your throat tissue due to needing oxygen all night may cause a sore throat at the beginning of the day.
