Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Sleep apnea is a sometimes insidious disorder that takes years to identify. Since most of the identifiable symptoms occur during sleep, it can be very difficult to notice them. Luckily, these symptoms are readily identifiable by a spouse or roommate. If a bed partner knows what signs to look for, sleep apnea can be spotted before it has a serious impact on health.
When sleep apnea goes too long without treatment, a person’s health will begin to deteriorate. This is because sleep is such an important part of our day. Without adequate sleep, the body’s immune system begins to function less efficiently. A person becomes lethargic and tired. Many life threatening problems like heart attacks and strokes become more likely. Luckily sleep apnea can be easily identified in someone else. If you know what to look for, you will be able to identify sleep apnea in your spouse or loved ones.
Things to Look For
Sleep apnea is usually discovered by accident. Here are the common indicators that someone you know suffers from this disorder.
1. Snoring. Snoring is a prevalent condition among the public. However, nearly every person with sleep apnea is a regular snorer. Snoring in addition with other symptoms is one of the best indicators of sleep apnea.
2. Breathing difficulties. Sleep apnea is a condition caused by breathing problems often resulting from an obstructed airway. The result is loud snoring and also a cessation of breathing altogether. Sometimes hundreds of times a night a person with sleep apnea will stop breathing from ten to thirty seconds. They then gasp or choke for breathe as if suffocating. This is sure sign of sleep apnea.
3. Excessive daytime sleepiness. EDS is described as sleepiness that is out of the ordinary and persists throughout the day. People with EDS often have trouble staying awake. They might fall asleep while talking on the phone, eating food, or even driving a vehicle. This is a very dangerous condition, because it becomes very difficult to perform daily activities.
4. Daytime fatigue. The low quality of sleep gained from those with sleep apnea can result in fatigue. Often they will have trouble remembering things and might not be able to concentrate on the task at hand. It might also result in mood swings or anxiousness.
5. Depression. Depression often accompanies sleep apnea. Indeed, those with sleep apnea are five times more likely to be depressed than those without a sleep disorder.
6. Headaches. Headaches are commonly experienced throughout the night and also in the morning upon waking. Roughly half of patients with sleep apnea report persistent headaches.
7. Additional symptoms. People suffering from sleep apnea often wake up wet with sweat. This is likely the result of the panic induced by not breathing for short periods of time. Sufferers might also have to urinate frequently throughout the night, and they often wake up with a dry or sore throat. Sometimes sexual dysfunction is a side effect.
Usually the more of these potential symptoms a person has, the more severe the case of sleep apnea. Sometimes a doctor can make a diagnosis based on reported symptoms and a look at the medical records. Other times it may be necessary to participate in a sleep study, which gives a doctor the required information to make an accurate diagnosis.
Anytime these symptoms are noticed it is important to pay attention to the individual in question. Sleep apnea can lead to worsening health if it isn’t treated. There are many effective treatments. The hardest part about this sleep disorder is discovering you have it at all!