Sleep apnea is a condition that affects more than 25 million adults in the United States. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when your airway becomes blocked during sleep. This restricts the amount of oxygen that reaches your brain cells. If you snore loudly and/or gasp for air at night, you may be suffering from sleep apnea. Other signs of sleep apnea include:

Loud Snoring

The most common symptom of sleep apnea is loud, persistent snoring. Not all people who snore have sleep apnea, but people with this condition will often experience very loud, frequent snoring throughout the night. If you or your partner snores loudly and regularly, you should be sure to mention it to your doctor at your next visit. Sleep apnea can leave you exhausted during the day and can negatively affect your health. Your doctor may recommend using a mouthpiece at night to treat your sleep apnea symptoms. Treatment for sleep apnea can improve your quality of life in significant ways.

Choking or Gasping for Air During Sleep

Many patients report frequent choking episodes during wakefulness as well. Patients may also complain of waking up with a sore throat, dry mouth, and headaches in the morning. These symptoms may indicate that a patient has severe sleep apnea.

Severe apnea requires immediate treatment to avoid serious health consequences such as an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

Patients with untreated sleep apnea often suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness, which is caused by the brain's inability to properly regulate sleep and wake cycles. When a patient is affected by sleep apnea, it can be incredibly difficult for them to get a good night's sleep because of their condition. This can lead to the patient feeling excessively tired and fatigued throughout the day. Their lack of energy can have a negative impact on their personal and professional lives. This can also lead to patients experiencing trouble concentrating at work or in school.

Morning Headaches

You may not realize it, but sleep apnea causes numerous symptoms to manifest during the day as well. One of the most commonly overlooked is morning headaches.

When you're sleeping, your airway relaxes and can become obstructed by your tongue or throat muscles. This obstruction leads to several consequences, including higher blood pressure and increased heart rates. The increased blood pressure can lead to headaches, especially in the morning when you wake up with high blood pressure from a night of interrupted breathing.

At Arizona Dental, we ensure to provide each of our patients with a positive and relaxing experience. If you're ready to experience the best dental care, please contact us from your nearest location. We will be happy to guide you further.