Sleep Apnea Impacts Your Quality of Life
Obstructive sleep apnea affects the lives millions of people in the U.S. by depriving them of the deep, restful sleep they need every night. When left untreated, sleep apnea can cause daytime drowsiness, fatigue, poor short-term memory, and high blood pressure, while also increasing the risk of stroke, heart attack, and chronic depression.
Considering the serious health problems caused by sleep apnea, why do so many people fail to receive treatment for this destructive condition? Simple, they’re completely unaware of the problem.
As the name implies, sleep apnea only occurs while your asleep. This means that the most common symptoms of sleep apnea – such as snoring and restlessness – go completely unnoticed by those suffering from the condition. In fact, many of our patients at SleepRight McKinney where unaware of their nightly snoring until told by a frustrated bed partner or roommate about the noises they make while asleep.
While these patients were able to receive sleep apnea treatment once the condition was brought to their attention, many others remain in the dark about what’s causing their troubles sleeping at night.
Fortunately, once you understand the symptoms of sleep apnea, you have a better chance of recognizing the need for sleep apnea treatment.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
The symptoms of sleep apnea can be broken down into those that occur at night during rest and those you can physical feel the next day.
During the night, sleep apnea’s symptoms include:
- Loud snoring
- Making choking or gasping sounds while asleep
- Restless sleep
- Waking up frequently throughout the night
- Insomnia
Frequently, it takes the presence of a bed partner suffering through nights of snoring, thrashing, and gasping for most apnea patients to become aware of their disruptive sleep patterns.
However, sleep apnea also exhibits bodily symptoms that can be recognized as being caused by a lack of quality sleep.
Daytime sleep apnea symptoms include:
- Waking with a dry or sore throat
- Frequent morning headaches
- Daytime drowsiness
- Feeling tired regardless of the amount of sleep you received the night before
- Sleepiness while driving
- Forgetfulness
- Mood swings
- Trouble concentrating
- Decreased sex drive
Frequently Asked Questions
How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
Sleep apnea is diagnosed with a sleep study. A sleep study can be performed in the comfort of your own home or in a lab under the supervision of a physician.
With the take-home test, you’ll receive the sleep test equipment from your physician and return it to them after you’ve conducted the test. The equipment will monitor your heart rate and breathing, as well as the oxygen level in your blood.
Once your physician diagnoses you with sleep apnea, Dr. Lawrence can help you find a treatment option that suits you.
Are sleep apnea and snoring the same thing?
Most people who have sleep apnea snore, but not all people who snore have sleep apnea. Loud and frequent snoring is one of the most common and noticeable signs of sleep apnea. If you snore, we highly recommend you undergo a sleep study to determine if, in fact, you have sleep apnea.
Once you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea, we can begin treatment immediately. Whether you have sleep apnea, or simply snore, we’ll assist you with treatment so you and your partner can start enjoying restful nights.
Does oral appliance therapy work?
Yes! Oral appliance therapy is a quiet, convenient, and comfortable way to tackle snoring and sleep apnea symptoms. It’s a custom-fitted oral device that works by gently repositioning the tongue or jaw to eliminate any obstructions in the airway.
With oral appliance therapy, Dr. Lawrence can improve your sleep and restore your energy. If you suffer from sleep apnea, schedule a consultation with Dr. Lawrence by contacting our McKinney office at (972) 542-9129.
During the consultation, Dr. Lawrence will examine your head and neck function, the roof of your mouth, throat, tongue, neck, posture, body mass, and your nasal septum to look for any areas that may cause an airway obstruction. He’ll determine if you would benefit from a sleep study so you can begin treatment right away.
Is there a cure for sleep apnea?
The only cure for sleep apnea is to have surgery. However, surgery is invasive and only used in the most severe cases as a last resort. As a first line of defense, we’ll typically suggest an oral appliance to begin reversing the effects of sleep apnea. In addition to treating sleep apnea with an oral appliance, Dr. Lawrence may recommend certain lifestyle changes to ensure the treatment is effective.
Don’t Wait to Get the Sleep Apnea Treatment You Need
If you experience any of these symptoms and have often wondered why, you need to schedule a free sleep apnea consultation with Dr. Lawrence today.
At SleepRight McKinney, we offer patients a variety of sleep apnea treatment options designed to help you get the rest you deserve. Don’t wait any longer to start enjoying the deep, relaxing sleep you need at night. Call our office today to find out more about what sleep apnea treatment can do for you.