Three Common Signs of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep issues all across the globe, with an estimated 30 million adults suffering from sleep apnea in the U.S. alone. Worldwide, it is projected that sleep apnea could affect almost one billion people. With so many people suffering from the symptoms of sleep apnea, chances are high that you will deal with sleep apnea either yourself, through a partner, or a family member. If you notice that you are always waking up tired, have an issue with loud snoring, or notice any other common symptoms, you may be dealing with obstructive sleep apnea. If you are interested in learning more about how you can treat your symptoms and finally get the restful sleep that you deserve, come into Fenton Family Dentistry today. Here are a few common symptoms to look for in yourself, your partner, or your family members.

Snoring

One of the most noticeable symptoms of sleep apnea is loud and consistent snoring that is interrupted whenever you wake up from lack of air. Although you may not notice this symptom yourself, your family or your partner will notice this symptom easily. A few different underlying issues can cause snoring, which means that loud snoring isn’t a definitive symptom of sleep apnea.

Gasping For Air

One of two things causes sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is when your muscles relax and your soft tissue weighs down your esophagus causing you to stop breathing. Central sleep apnea, on the other hand, is when an instability in your body’s breathing system causes your body to stop trying to breathe at all. Regardless of which type of sleep apnea you have, the most noticeable symptom of sleep apnea is waking up and gasping for air. This can oftentimes be violent, though you might not have any memory of the event, as you will still be in a deep sleep.

Sleepiness & Difficulty Focusing

Sleep apnea is extremely disruptive to your sleep, and depending on the severity of your symptoms, it can be all but impossible to reach a restful level of sleep. If you notice that you are having difficulty staying awake during the day or having trouble focusing on normal tasks, your sleep is most likely being upset by sleep apnea.

Waking Up With Dry Mouth

Although dry mouth is not abnormal for many people, waking up with a consistently dry mouth is a sign that you may be constantly breathing through your mouth and gasping due to sleep apnea. If you notice that you are consistently waking up with dry mouth and have at least one other sleep apnea symptom, you may want to schedule a sleep study to see if you are suffering from sleep apnea.

If you would like to learn more about sleep apnea or have any other dental needs, come into Fenton Family Dental today. We will happily work with you to make sure that every member of your family has their dental care taken care of in one quick trip.