What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where the airways in your throat, narrow or close, interrupting your breathing.
This can happen as many as 30 times per hour and lasts 10 seconds or more. The pauses in breathing disrupt your sleep, making you feel tired during the day. The diagnosis is typically based upon the presence of high sleep arousals during the night, with a corresponding decrease in sleep time and changes in breathing patterns.
What are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing stops for periods of time. It can cause serious health problems if not treated, and it is the most common sleep disorder.
Sleep apnea is a disorder where you stop and start breathing during sleep. You might snore heavily and feel very tired throughout the day if you have this disorder. It is worth getting checked out by your doctor if you see any of these symptoms
The different types of sleep apnea include:
Obstructive sleep apnea
Central sleep apnea
Complex sleep apnea syndrome
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
If you struggle to breathe when asleep and feel like you are choking, you may be struggling with an obstructive or central sleep pattern. There are many signs of these two types of sleep disorders, so it can sometimes be difficult to spot which one is affecting you.
Some of the symptoms, according to Mayo Clinic are:
Loud snoring
Episodes where you stop breathing during your sleep — reported by a witness.
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
When to Seek Help
If you have a loud snoring problem, it could be a sign of something more serious. It is critical that you speak with your doctor and talk about potential solutions. Restful sleep should be one of your top priorities. You should consult with the doctor if you are tired, sleepy or irritated all of the time, so they can diagnose the underlying cause and provide some solutions.