How Can I Tell If I Have Sleep Apnea?
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Sleep apnea is a condition where a person stops and restarts breathing during sleep. A blocked airway causes it, and it can be serious and lead to further health issues. There are many clues that you may be struggling with this illness. You can share your concerns with your doctor, who can then prescribe the proper treatment. You should never ignore these signs but should instead be proactive about battling this disorder.
People who typically have sleep apnea
People of all ages could experience repeated episodes of these breathing difficulties. However, some individuals are more prone to it than others. Obese people tend to have more fat in the upper way, which can hinder breathing. Also, patients with larger necks and narrow throats may be at risk for having sleep apnea. Other factors include smoking, drinking alcohol, age and having a family history of people who suffer from sleep apnea.
Snoring
This is perhaps the biggest indication that someone has sleep apnea. Many people occasionally snore due to nasal congestion or other sicknesses. Frequent snoring could be a more significant problem, though. When a person snores, the muscles and the tongue relax at the roof of their mouth. The breathing vibrates against these, making the snoring sound. Sometimes, the snoring could cause the person to momentarily stop breathing.
Gasping for air
A person’s bed partner may be the right individual to indicate this problem. A sudden struggle to take in oxygen could indicate that the person is having a hard time breathing or may have even stopped for a time. There may be several episodes of this throughout the night. The gasping could also happen multiple times in a row.
Excessive fatigue
Just about everyone knows what it is like to have a bad night’s rest and feel the effects the following day. People who experience this often or constantly could have sleep apnea. The irregularly breathing during the night will affect the quality of sleep. The following day, the person will feel the consequences. If someone continually has extreme fatigue throughout the day, breathing problems during sleep time could be the reason.
Insomnia
This condition is related to sleep apnea. People who have it cannot stay asleep during the night. Different factors can cause it and breathing irregularities could be linked to it. People who find themselves up during large portions of the night should contact a doctor and see why this is happening. Even short intervals of being awake during sleeping hours could lead to more health problems.
Being aware of your risks
It can be difficult to know whether you have sleep apnea. Some people associate their sleeping issues to other causes. However, it is important that you accurately identify why you cannot sleep well or why you are struggling to breathe when you are in bed. Consider these causes of the condition. Then, find a doctor or dentist near you to discuss your symptoms. You can get the help you need so you can breathe properly once again.
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