What are the major signs and symptoms of sleep apnea?
Many people are unaware that they have sleep apnea and therefore it goes untreated and their lives are not the quality they can be. That is why it is important to know some of the major signs and symptoms of sleep apnea.Here are a few of the signs and symptoms you may have obstructive sleep apnea:
Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
- Loud, Chronic Snoring
- Snoring that Wakes Others
- Choking or Gasping for Breath During Sleep
- Daytime Sleepiness
- Morning Headaches
- Irritability
- Heart Attacks
- Irregular Heartbeats
- High Blood Pressure
- Stroke
- Reflux (GERD)
- Heartburn
- Dry Mouth
- Poor Memory
- Depression
- Sexual Dysfunction
- Chronic Sleepiness
- Frequent Bathroom Trips at Night
- Restless Sleep
- Sudden Death
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or signs, you may have sleep apnea. Even if you are “only snoring,” snoring is no joke. The vibrations from snoring alone can cause a thickening of the carotid arteries which results in an increased risk of stroke. Untreated Snoring will eventually result in Obstructive Sleep Apnea. However, the more we learn about sleep, the more we realize that the one with the sleep disorder (Snoring or Obstructive Sleep Apnea) is not the only one who suffers.
The Bed Partner loses more than an hour of sleep EACH night.
Family, children, friends and co-workers all have to live with this person who is cranky, short-tempered, forgetful, and sleepy/drowsy during the day. Someone who sleeps only 4 hours each night has a daytime drowsiness that is equivalent to a blood-alcohol content of .095% – in Georgia, legal intoxication is .08%. People with untreated Sleep Apnea are 7 times more likely to fall asleep while driving. At least 30% of all motor vehicle accidents are due to sleep deprivation.
If someone you love is not sleeping due to snoring or suspected sleep apnea, we are here to help.
Call Dr. Hair at 770.433.2414 for a no cost screening to see how we may help you.
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The solution could actually fit in your hand.