Common Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Knowing whether or not you have sleep apnea can be difficult, understandably so since it occurs while you’re asleep. One way to figure out if you might have sleep apnea is to keep an eye out for some of its most common symptoms. Here are some to give you an idea of what to look for:

Loud & Frequent Snoring

Just because you hear someone snoring once doesn’t automatically mean they have sleep apnea. People snore for a variety of reasons. For example, they may be sick and have a stuffed-up nose or they may have drunk a lot of alcohol that night. But if someone is snoring loudly and routinely, it could be a sign that their air passage is being blocked as they sleep, which is, in other words, obstructive sleep apnea.

Morning Headaches

If you have sleep apnea, you’re not getting a sufficient amount of oxygen as you sleep because of a blocked airway. That lack of oxygen can lead to headaches when you wake up. Morning headaches are an easy symptom to notice since you’re conscious while they’re occurring. If you routinely find that your days are kicked off with some head pain, you may want to consider getting a professional’s opinion.

Brain Fog or Daytime Fatigue

Does it seem like no matter how early you go to bed or how long you sleep that you’re still tired throughout the day? It could be that you’re not getting restful sleep due to a lack of oxygen from sleep apnea. One of the most common symptoms of this sleep disorder is a feeling of tiredness or sleepiness throughout the day.

Pauses in Breathing

This symptom might be a little bit hard to notice without another person observing it. Those who suffer from sleep apnea have pauses in their breathing where they go silent because the airway is blocked. These cessation periods can be somewhat frightening for someone looking on from the outside. You may notice it yourself if you occasionally wake up gasping for air.

Sleep Apnea Treatment

If these symptoms are ringing a bell with you, the best course of action is to see a professional to get a definite diagnosis. If you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea, you’ll be presented with a few different treatment options, including a personalized oral appliance that repositions your mouth to keep your airway clear. At Elevate Smile Design, we’re happy to help with your sleep disorder diagnosis and treatment. Just contact our office to get started!