Could Sleep Apnea be Causing Your Sleepless Nights?
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder. However, many people suffering from this problem are left undiagnosed because some of the most prominent warning signs happen during sleep. The best way to determine if you are exhibiting sleep apnea related symptoms is to ask your spouse, roommate or bed partner to note the following: making gasping or choking sounds, night sweats, morning headaches, frequent urination, daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, weight gain, impaired memory, or moodiness.
The 3 types of sleep apnea:
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common is when your upper airway collapses part or all the way while you are sleeping causing temporary lapses in breath
Central sleep apnea (CSA), occurs when your brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing
Complex sleep apnea syndrome, also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, which occurs when someone has both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea
This diagram is showing a normal airway versus obstructive sleep apnea.
Signs & symptoms:
The most common signs and symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas include:
Loud snoring
Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep — which would be reported by another person
Gasping for air during sleep
Awakening with a dry mouth
Morning headache
Difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)
Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia)
Difficulty paying attention while awake
Irritability Pre-diabetes and diabetes
Depression
When to see a doctor:
Loud snoring can indicate a potentially serious problem, but not everyone who has sleep apnea snores.
Talk to your doctor if you have signs or symptoms of sleep apnea. Ask your doctor about any sleep problem that leaves you fatigued, sleepy and irritable.
