Sleep apnea is a condition that causes a person to temporarily stop breathing as they sleep. A person who has sleep apnea may stop breathing hundreds of times throughout the night. This can happen as often as 30 times an hour. Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder. But many people with sleep apnea don’t know it. If left untreated, it can increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, and diabetes.

Here are a few symptoms of sleep apnea:

Loud breathing or snoring during sleep

The most common symptom of sleep apnea is loud, disruptive snoring during the night. However, some patients display other symptoms that indicate the presence of this disorder. These may include daytime fatigue, headaches upon waking in the morning, and dry mouth during the night. If these symptoms sound familiar to you, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist to discuss further options for treating your sleep apnea.

Waking up during the night

If you wake up suddenly, you might feel short of breath or notice your heart beating faster than usual. These symptoms could be caused by sleep apnea and may require treatment. Some patients may notice that their bed partner hears loud snoring, pauses in breathing, gasps for air, or even stops breathing altogether. If your partner notices these symptoms, it could be a sign that he or she may have sleep apnea as well.

Difficulty staying awake during the day

People with untreated sleep apnea often feel extremely tired during the day, even if they sleep through the night. They may feel fatigued even while just sitting around the house or driving to work in the morning. They may have difficulty concentrating on tasks and frequently nod off during meetings or even while watching TV. This can be embarrassing and frustrating to deal with in a social or work setting. Plus, it can be a major safety hazard while driving or operating machinery. There are many causes of daytime sleepiness, but sleep apnea is the most common cause. If a patient suspects they have sleep apnea, they should talk to their doctor about treatment options.

Excessive daytime sleepiness

This is one of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea, and its primary cause is a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream. When your body doesn’t receive enough oxygen, your brain will send signals that it’s time to sleep because it isn’t receiving enough oxygen to function correctly.

The fatigue caused by this lack of oxygen can make it difficult for you to be productive during the day and make your daily tasks feel much more difficult than they would normally be. You might also be more mentally drained because you don’t sleep well at night, so you’ll be less able to focus throughout the day. This is especially common for individuals who experience sleep apnea on a chronic basis.

If your partner has noticed you have these symptoms, consider visiting your dentist to find out if you need treatment.

Nighttime urination

Many sleep apnea patients find that they frequently urinate, especially at night. When a patient is sleeping and unable to control their breathing, they may wake up partially or completely in a panic to breathe. In that case, the patient is likely to end up getting up to use the restroom. This frequent nighttime urination can lead to sleep deprivation and further complications.

Moodiness or depression

Patients who have sleep apnea often report mood swings, irritability, and depression. Often these patients don’t even realize why they’re feeling depressed until they receive treatment for their snoring and sleep apnea. Sleep apnea affects your whole body, including your brain, so it’s no surprise that your emotional state is affected as well.

At Greenwell Springs Family Dentistry, we offer high-quality dental care using state-of-the-art dental technologies. To learn more about our dental services, call Dentist in Greenwell Springs, LA, at (225) 261-0043 or visit our dental office located at 14127 Greenwell Springs Road, Greenwell Springs.