Signs You Might Have Sleep Apnea
By Joe McIntyre, DDS on February 15, 2022
At Smiles for Life Dental Care, our dentists can address a wide range of dental health and general wellness issues. This includes sleep apnea, a sleep disorder that affects normal breathing. Many people throughout the Harrisonburg, Bridgewater, and Staunton, VA, areas have come to our offices after noticing symptoms of this condition.
Most people think that sleep apnea and snoring are one and the same, but that is not the case. Let’s look at some common symptoms and warning signs of sleep apnea so you know what to look out for.
Loud Snoring
Snoring is one of the most common signs of sleep apnea. In fact, many people think that sleep apnea is just heavy snoring. However, snoring is just one of the ways you can tell that someone has sleep apnea.
Waking Up During Sleep
Remember: sleep apnea refers to interruptions in normal breathing while you are sleeping. In addition to snoring, people with sleep apnea often wake up at night multiple times due to the interruption in breathing.
Waking up gasping for air or short of breath is another potential warning sign of the condition.
Night Sweats
The inability to breathe can be stressful. In response, you may wind up sweating throughout the night. Be mindful of any signs of excessive sweating when you wake up.
Dry Mouth in the Morning
People who snore a lot during sleep will typically have dry mouth when they wake up the next morning.
Morning Headaches
A lack of restful sleep and a series of sleep interruptions can affect you in so many ways during your waking hours. Many of our patients complain about headaches when they wake up in the morning because of their poor sleep quality.
Daytime Fatigue
People who sleep poorly will experience a number of issues throughout their day when it comes to energy levels and alertness. People with sleep apnea often complain about drowsiness during waking hours.
Difficulty Concentrating
Not getting enough quality sleep will often lead to problems with focus, concentration, and memory. It will take more than just a cup of coffee to restore your mental acuity if you’ve got sleep apnea. You need a full night of uninterrupted sleep.
Irritability
Sleep deprivation can leave you feeling grouchy in the morning. In the long run, mood swings during the day combined with the above symptoms of sleep apnea could affect your mental health and physical well-being. Getting treatment is crucial.
What If I Exhibit Some of These Symptoms?
Do any of these warning signs sound familiar to you? If so, it’s important that you speak with our team to learn about your options for treatment. We can review your symptoms and the effect the condition has had on your life, and then develop a sound treatment plan that will help you sleep normally and breathe easy through the night.
Contact Smiles for Life Dental Care
To schedule a consultation, contact our dental practice today. You can also reach our compassionate team of dental professionals at (540) 828-2312.
