If you don’t recall staying up late unable to fall asleep, or waking up constantly in the middle of the night, then sleep deprivation may not seem like something you should worry about. Nevertheless, millions of people in America lose precious sleep to disorders like obstructive sleep apnea without realizing it until they’re diagnosed. Because patients with sleep apnea often don’t know that they’re losing sleep, they may not realize when symptoms of sleep deprivation begin to manifest. To help determine if you should ask us about sleep apnea treatment, ask yourself if you’re experiencing these or other signs that you aren’t sleeping as well as you thought.
Do you get sleepy in the middle of the day?
After a particularly busy or rough morning, it’s natural to feel a little low on energy by midday. However, if you notice that you start to get sleepy and nod off almost every day, then it’s likely due to a lack of sleep. Your mind and body need to enter deep levels of R.E.M. sleep to rest and rejuvenate. If sleep apnea prevents them from doing so, then you’ll soon lack the energy to make it through each day.
Do you seem more irritable?
Energy isn’t the only thing that suffers when you’re deprived of deep sleep. Without proper rest, your body’s chemical and hormone balances can begin to suffer, fluctuating as you find it increasingly more difficult to reign in your temper or annoyance. Mood swings are one of the most common signs that your sleep deprivation is getting worse, and that treating your condition is becoming increasingly more important.
Are you having difficulty remembering things?
Can’t remember what you ate for breakfast yesterday, or what your manager asked you to do just a couple of hours ago? Like all areas of your brain, the ones responsible for short and long-term memory work best when you sleep, allowing them to process everything you’ve experienced and file it away so you can face the next day with a clear head. Another significant clue that you’re sleep deprived is your mind’s inability to retain new memories, or recall ones from your recent and distant past.
Get the Quality Sleep You Deserve
By itself, snoring may not indicate the presence of OSA. But, if you feel increasingly sleep deprived when you think that you’re sleeping soundly, then it may be more likely that you need sleep apnea treatment. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling Houston Sleep Solutions in Spring, TX, at (281) 320-2000, or in Pearland, TX, at (832) 564-3508.
