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More than the Snore. Your Sleep Apnea Symptoms Could be a Serious Health Concern

Most of us have snored or heard snoring at some point in our lives, but how often do you equate snoring with the more serious symptoms of sleep apnea? If you have been told you snore, or have been on the receiving side of a poor night’s rest due to snoring, it is important to review the symptoms associated with obstructive and central Sleep Apneas. By identifying and seeking treatment for symptoms of sleep apnea you can prevent more serious health issues that often associate with this common sleep disorder.

There are three main types of sleep apnea that can cause your breathing to repeatedly stop and start throughout the night, leaving you and your partner feeling tired after a full night of sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea are two forms of this common condition that can have overlapping symptoms. The third type of sleep apnea is a complex sleep apnea syndrome where the patient may show symptoms of both central and obstructive sleep apnea.

 

The most common signs and symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas include:

 

Abrupt awakenings: Generally accompanied by shortness of breath, this can be more so indicative of central sleep apnea.

Interrupted breathing: This is witnessed by another person and is described as inconsistent breathing patterns in the sleeping partner, often with breathing stopping completely.

Loud snoring: The most common symptom, excessively loud snoring is often associated with obstructive sleep apneas and airway obstruction.

Frequent dry mouth or sore throat: If you wake multiple times a week with dry mouth or an unusually sore throat you could be observing a common symptom of sleep apnea.

Difficulty staying asleep: If a good night’s rest is a foreign concept to you, consider the additional symptoms that can be identified with sleep apnea. Trouble sleeping can be an indicator of various problems but paired with common OSA symptoms, it is a good indictor you may be experiencing sleep apnea.

Morning headache and irritability: Lack of rest can often cause frequent irritability and increase the likelihood of morning headaches caused by unrest and open mouth breathing.

Excessive sleepiness: The desire for sleep at different points throughout your work day can be another indicator of sleep apnea. Many patients report feeling tired very shortly after waking and struggle to stay focused and alert throughout day.

 

When to Seek Treatment of the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

People have a tendency to dismiss snoring as an inconvenience to their rest, rather than viewing it as a medically classified sleep disorder like sleep apnea that should be treated by a medical professional. If you or your partner notice symptoms like shortness of breath, gasping for air that wakes you, snoring loud enough to disturb others or excessive daytime drowsiness, consult a professional at Friendly Smiles Dentistry.

Friendly Smiles Dentistry offers the latest in the treatment of sleep apnea symptoms with the use of oral sleep appliances. Oral appliances do not rely on machinery in the treatment of your sleep apnea symptoms and are a more portable option. If you have been using a C-Pap machine and are tired of the cleaning and discomfort, let Friendly Smiles show you a better alternative. By scheduling a simple consultation at any of the conveniently located Friendly Smiles offices, you can begin taking the next steps to a customized solution for a quality night’s sleep.