Did you know that more than 18 million American adults suffer from sleep apnea? This disorder causes your breathing to be briefly interrupted during sleep, often without you realizing it! Because it disrupts sleep and deprives your body of oxygen, sleep apnea is no joke. It can lead to excessive tiredness, surgical complications, and even heart problems.
Thankfully, sleep apnea has numerous warning signs. If you or your partner notice any of these, you should consult with a doctor as soon as possible.
Excessive Snoring
A lot of people snore, and snoring isn’t always a sign of sleep apnea. But certain types of snoring are a dead giveaway. Snorers with sleep apnea may experience a distinct, gradual lift in volume of their snores until a sudden gasping or choking sound interrupts it, resetting the cycle.
This interruption is the result of your body literally gasping for air and attempting to reopen your airway. Partners are often the first ones to notice it.
Excessive Movement
Because they aren’t getting rest, people with sleep apnea are often obviously restless during sleep. They toss and turn, kick, and wake up frequently during the night. Even if you sleep alone, take a look at your sheets in the morning: if they’re a disheveled mess, sleep apnea might be the culprit.
You’re Tired All Day
If you find yourself nodding off on the couch, struggling to push through the afternoon at work, or waking up groggy and grumpy, the solution might not be more coffee. It could mean that you have sleep apnea! Because it disrupts your sleep cycle, you don’t get the rest you need, no matter how much you sleep.
You Get Sick a Lot
A lack of sleep significantly reduces the functioning of your immune system. While autoimmune disorders come in all shapes and sizes, if you find yourself with frequent sniffles or achiness, sleep apnea could be to blame.
Do you suffer from sleep apnea? Klooster Family Dentistry can help! Our oral sleep appliances reduce sleep apnea’s effects by gently shifting your jaw forward as you sleep, opening your airway. Each one is custom made specifically for you.