If you suffer from sleep apnea, you know how difficult it can be to get a good night of sleep. Those who struggle with sleep apnea often stop breathing repeatedly throughout the night, hundreds of times even, in some cases. While this makes it incredibly uncomfortable for sleeping, it also starves your body and brain of oxygen. When this happens, you don’t receive the necessary amount of oxygen, making sleep apnea a serious condition.

The most common form of sleep apnea is known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This form is a result of the airway being blocked by soft tissue found at the back of the throat. This tissue collapses during sleep, blocking airflow.

Diagnosing sleep apnea can be difficult because healthcare providers are unable to detect the condition during a regular checkup. It isn’t a condition that normally presents itself with observable symptoms.

Sleep apnea can be detected, though, and it is usually first noticed by a spouse or bed partner. If your bed partner or a family member has heard you snoring throughout the night and having trouble breathing, that will be one of the first red flags that you have sleep apnea.

Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Once again, if you have sleep apnea, it will be tough to tell on your own. However, there are some symptoms that can help you determine if you have this condition.

Sleep apnea symptoms include:

· Loud snoring

· Making a loud choking or snorting sound while sleeping

· Waking up choking or gasping for air

· Lack of energy or feeling tired throughout the day

· Waking up with a headache, dry throat, or a very sore throat

· Restless sleep

· Forgetfulness

· Shortened attention span

· Insomnia or frequently waking up during the night

· Drowsiness while driving

· Irritability and changes in mood

· Decline in libido

is it time to speak with your doctor about sleep apnea?

While displaying some of these symptoms from time to time may not indicate that you have sleep apnea, it’s important that you address these symptoms with your doctor if you have been struggling with them regularly. Snoring does not necessarily mean you have sleep apnea, but if you have a history of struggling with snoring and other symptoms listed above, it will be in your best interest to seek help.

When left untreated, sleep apnea can increase your risk of developing other health problems—some of them serious, including:

· Heart failure

· High blood pressure

· Stroke

· Heart attack

· Arrhythmias/irregular heartbeat

· Diabetes

· Obesity

You might also be at a higher risk for accidents while driving or working due to drowsiness associated with sleep apnea.

Next Steps

If you’ve been struggling to get a good night’s sleep and display the listed symptoms, talking to your healthcare provider is an important next step. Sleep is a crucial part of life, and it is necessary to sleep well to remain healthy. Don’t let your sleep go interrupted with sleep apnea any longer. Seek help from your care provider. There are many options available to help people who suffer from sleep apnea. Schedule an appointment with Iowa City ASC today if you’d like to learn more about how to put your sleep apnea to rest!

SUMMARY

For people who suffer from sleep apnea, finding a good night’s rest is hard to come by. The snoring and difficulty breathing takes a toll on your body and can have negative health effects. Finding help for your sleep apnea is critical for helping you live a healthy life. How do you know when to seek help, though? If you are displaying the common symptoms of sleep apnea, the time is right for sleep apnea treatment. Sleep apnea doesn’t have to control your life. It’s time to put it to rest.