Symptoms of Sleep Apnea – Covington, GA

Snoring

Snoring occurs when air brushes past tissues in the throat, causing them to vibrate. In some cases, snoring is the result of allergies, consuming alcohol too close to bedtime, or other temporary circumstances. In other cases, however, it is an indicator of sleep apnea. Some signs of OSA-related snoring include:

• The snoring is loud
• You snore frequently
• Your partner observes that you sometimes stop breathing

Daytime Exhaustion

OSA prevents your body from getting the rejuvenating, high-quality sleep it needs to function at its best. Hence, you may find that you are constantly tired, no matter how long you spend in bed or how much coffee you drink. You may have slower reaction times when you are driving and exhibit decreased productivity at work.

Insomnia

There are numerous possible causes of insomnia, including stress, overconsumption of caffeine, and other factors. However, OSA may also play a role in making it difficult for you to fall asleep and/or stay asleep. If you often experience insomnia along with other signs of OSA, such as snoring, it would be wise to consult with a sleep apnea expert.

Nightmares

Sleep apnea may reduce the overall number of dreams you experience. This occurs because it causes you to spend less time in REM sleep, which is the part of the sleep cycle wherein most dreaming occurs. However, it does not eliminate all dreaming. Research indicates that OSA sufferers are more likely to experience nightmares because when you cannot breathe, that feeling of suffocation can get transferred into your dreams.

Dry Mouth/Dry Throat

Individuals with sleep apnea often sleep with their mouth open. This allows an excess of air into the oral cavity and can reduce the amount of saliva there. It is common for OSA sufferers to wake up with a dry mouth, a dry throat, or a sore throat.

Irritability and Mood Swings

Research indicates that a lack of high-quality sleep can affect the amount of mood-regulating chemicals in the brain. You may have less of the chemical that helps you to stay calm (called GABA) and more of the chemical that heightens feelings (called glutamate). The result is that you may often feel stressed and irritable. Depression is even common in individuals with sleep apnea.

Weight Gain

Without an adequate amount of high-quality rest, you may not have the energy to exercise as often as you should. You may also experience increased cravings for high-calorie comfort food. These factors can make it very difficult for you to maintain a healthy body weight.

Are you experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea? If so, our team is ready to help you get the rest your body needs to thrive!