Sleep Apnea affects countless people around the globe, resulting in moderate to extreme sleep apnea symptoms. How can you tell if you have sleep apnea?
Most Common Sleep Apnea Symptoms
- Daytime sleepiness, called hypersomnia, is excessive
- Snoring loudly (not always present in mild cases of sleep apnea)
- Frequent breathing cessations (witnessed by others)
- Dry mouth or sore throat occurs often upon waking up
- Headaches occurring often in the morning
- Insomnia and difficulty staying asleep
- Difficulty in focusing
In some cases, sleep apnea symptoms are mild and there is no real need to seek medical attention. So how do you know when you should see a doctor?
When should I see a doctor for my sleep apnea symptoms?
You should seek medical advice or treatment if you or your partner experience the following sleep apnea symptoms:
- If your snoring disturbs others or yourself
- If you awake from sleep short of breath
- If you stop breathing during your sleep
- If you are drowsy during the day or fall asleep while working or watching TV
Many people do not make the correlation of snoring as one of the sleep apnea symptoms and in some cases, not everyone snores with sleep apnea. You should see your doctor if you have frequent snoring or waking during the night or if you are tired throughout the day. In many cases, sleep apnea treatment with oral appliances can be quite effective.
