Sleep Disorders 5 Sings You Could Have Sleep Apnea Sleep Disorders 5 Sings You Could Have Sleep Apnea Sleep Disorders 5 Sings You Could Have Sleep Apnea Sleep Disorders 5 Sings You Could Have Sleep Apnea Sleep Disorders 5 Sings You Could Have Sleep Apnea Hanzara Panol April 8, 2025 Anna Rue We understand just […]
April 8, 2025
One of the most noticeable signs of sleep apnea is loud, chronic snoring, especially if it’s interrupted by periods of silence. This happens because your airway becomes partially obstructed, causing air to move forcefully through the throat, leading to snoring.
A key sign of sleep apnea is pauses in breathing during sleep. These are often noticed by a bed partner. After a pause, you may gasp or choke for air as your body tries to resume breathing. This can happen many times throughout the night.
People with sleep apnea often don’t get restful sleep because their breathing is disrupted. This leads to excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. You may feel tired, sluggish, or drowsy during the day, even after what should have been a full night of sleep.
Frequent waking up during the night, especially feeling like you’re choking or gasping for air, is common with sleep apnea. This can lead to insomnia and difficulties falling back to sleep once you wake up.
Waking up with headaches is another potential sign of sleep apnea. This can happen due to low oxygen levels during sleep or poor-quality sleep cycles, leading to tension headaches in the morning.
Dry Mouth or Sore Throat Upon Waking
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Memory Problems and Difficulty Concentrating
Mood Changes
Restless Sleep
High Body Mass Index (BMI)
Frequent Night Sweats
If you’re concerned about sleep apnea, especially if someone else has noticed you experiencing symptoms like loud snoring or breathing pauses, at Orofacial Pain and Sleep Center, Dr. Panol can help you get to the necessary diagnosis and treatment options
CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure): The most common treatment for moderate to severe sleep apnea. A CPAP machine provides a continuous flow of air through a mask, keeping the airway open during sleep.
Oral Appliances (Mandibular Advancement Devices): These devices reposition the lower jaw to keep the airway open and are often used for mild to moderate sleep apnea.
Lifestyle Changes: Weight loss, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, quitting smoking, and sleeping on your side can help alleviate mild cases of sleep apnea.
Surgery: In severe cases, surgical interventions may be considered to remove obstructions or correct anatomical issues that contribute to sleep apnea.
