Signs You Might Have Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is more than just soring when you sleep at night. Sleep apnea is a medical condition that can take a toll on both physical and mental health. If you think you are suffering from sleep apnea, you should get a sleep study to determine whether or not you have the condition and follow up with treatment. Keep in mind not all snoring behavior means you have sleep apnea. However, common symptoms can be related to sleep apnea that you may not realize. It is important to know the symptoms and determine whether or not they relate to sleep apnea. Here are some examples:

Snoring

An obvious sign of sleep apnea is snoring. Likely you do not notice the snoring yourself when you sleep, but your sleeping partner probably does. Snoring is not the only symptom of sleep apnea, but it is the most obvious and the reason why many people seek treatment. As you snore, your body is not getting adequate sleep. You also may not be getting enough oxygen as you sleep. Keep in mind, however, that snoring is not only due to sleep apnea. You might just have a narrow airway or another medical issue.

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is a common issue for many people. It can be due to a cold, allergies, diet, or anything else that causes your mouth to feel dry. Dry mouth is common in those with sleep apnea as well because sleep apnea often causes you to sleep with your mouth open. If your mouth is dry when you wake each day and you suffer from snoring, you should get checked.

Elevated Blood Pressure

During sleep apnea, the oxygen levels in the body decrease. The body becomes more compromised when your oxygen levels are low, which triggers the brain to increase oxygen levels to your brain and heart to keep your body functional. The process of increasing oxygen can damage the blood vessels and ultimately impacts your blood pressure.

Decreased Mood

When you are not getting quality sleep, chances are your mood is not going to be as good as it should be. When you do not sleep well, your brain and body are not properly refreshed each night, which can prevent you from getting the deep REM sleep your body needs to function properly.

Consistent Fatigue

If you are tired every single day, you may be dealing with sleep apnea. When you are exhausted all the time, you can feel frustrated, depressed, and discouraged. Your mental health can also take a toll as well. Fatigue can be a sign of sleep apnea, especially if you have other symptoms. A sleep study should be done to find out if your fatigue is due to sleep apnea.

To learn more, contact a sleep center in your area today.