Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
When a person wakes up feeling as though she hasn’t slept at all, it may be an indication of a sleeping disorder. While it is normal to not feel rested every so often, it can become a problem if it is a frequent occurrence. Many people assume that sleep apneaonly affects older people. However, the disorder can affect adults, teenagers, and children. Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes one or more pauses in breathing while a person is asleep. This disorder affects over 18 million adults in the United States.
While this sleep disorder can only be diagnosed by a doctor, there are a few sleep apnea symptoms to look for that may help an individual determine whether he suffers from the disorder. Individuals who suffer from the disorder may experience symptoms of sleep apnea such as loud snoring, waking up with a sore or dry throat, headaches in the morning, lack of energy throughout the day, decreased interest in sex, forgetfulness throughout the day, waking up in the middle of the night, and bouts of insomnia.
Other sleep apnea symptoms include feeling sleepy while driving, feelings of restlessness while sleeping, and waking up gasping or choking. Some people may also experience an increase in urination. Sleep disturbances put pressure on the heart. When the heart feels pressure, if affects the hormone that keeps urine production under control.
Many people assume that sleep apnea is simply excessive snoring. However, the disorder can be very dangerous when not treated in children, teenagers, and adults. Sleep apnea symptoms should not be ignored. Repeated interruptions in oxygen saturation in the body and sleep deprivation can have serious health implications.
Typically, doctors must conduct a sleep study to determine if an individual suffers from sleep apnea. Sleep studies are conducted to study the sleeping patterns of an individual. While it can be easier to notice the symptoms of sleep apnea with a partner, the most common sleep apnea symptoms are headaches in the morning and feeling tired throughout the day, even after an adequate amount of sleep.
