Signs of Sleep Apnea: Get Checked Out

Sleep apnea is a condition in which you temporarily stop breathing while you sleep at night. The temporary breathing can last for a few seconds or even minutes at a time. These breathing interruptions can happen many times within an hour. Afterwards your breathing may return to normal or it may be accompanied by loud snoring or choking.

Sleep apnea can keep you from getting a good night's sleep, and it can cause you to be tired and sleepy during the day. This condition is not one that is easily diagnosed and may not be revealed during a routine exam by your physician. Since sleep apnea happens while you're sleeping, you probably wouldn't know you had it unless someone else notices your unusual sleeping patterns. Even then, they probably won't know that you may have sleep apnea without a professional examination and/or sleep study. Millions of adults are suffering from sleep apnea, and they don't know they have it. The majority of sufferers are overweight or obese, and men have this condition more than women. Older people are more likely to develop this condition, and women may develop sleep apnea in their post-menopausal years. Young children that have larger than normal tonsil tissues may also be prone to develop sleep apnea later in life.

You can also be at risk for sleep apnea if you:

• Have high blood pressure

• Smoke

• Have the potential for a stroke

• At risk for heart failure

Signs And Symptoms

The most obvious sign of sleep apnea is loud and consistent snoring. You may also choke or gasp for breath. When you sleep on your back the snoring typically gets louder. You may or may not snore every night, and eventually the snoring may increase or become louder.

If you have difficulty staying awake during the day, this could be a sign of sleep apnea. There are other signs and symptoms that people may not associate with sleep apnea. They are:

• Headaches in the morning

• Frequent urination in the evening or night hours

• Moodiness or changes in your personality

• Lack of concentration or loss of memory

• Dry throat in the morning when you wake up

If you or others suspect you have sleep issues, it is important that you see a physician who will examine your medical and family histories. They will also conduct a physical examination. If physicians feel that the symptoms and patterns fit this condition, then you will likely be referred for a sleep study.

If you are referred for a sleep study, it is important that you get one. This study can help determine if you have a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea and other sleep disorders can increase your health risk for strokes, high blood pressure and heart attacks so it's definitely important to get checked out..

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