Sleep apnea is a dangerous for many reasons, most notably the fact that it restricts your oxygen and deprives you of deep sleep every night. However, those dangers are exemplified by the fact that many patients don’t even realize they have sleep apnea, and therefore, never seek treatment for it. To help you determine if you might have sleep apnea and can benefit from customized treatment, we examine a few signs that could warn you that you’re losing sleep to the condition without realizing it.
You Snore Too Much
The most obvious sign of obstructive sleep apnea is excessive, abnormally loud snoring. Sleep apnea involves your airway becoming blocked by oral tissues when you sleep. This obstruction causes you to snore louder and louder, until you suddenly grow quiet as you stop breathing altogether. If you snore every night even when you sleep in different positions, then it may be because of sleep apnea.
You Wake Up with Headaches
The problem with sleep apnea is twofold – it stops you from getting as much oxygen as you normally would, and it constantly forces your body to clear your airway. These persistent interruptions and the lack of oxygen can make it impossible for your mind and body to rest, and chronic headaches when you wake in the morning may be an indication of it.
You’re Always Tired
When your body clears its airway, it doesn’t really wake you from consciousness. However, it takes brain power, so the interruptions make it impossible for your brain and body to rest, rejuvenate, and repair themselves properly. As you consistently evade deep, R.E.M. sleep, you’ll notice yourself growing increasingly more exhausted every day, even though you think you’re sleeping soundly every night.
Rest Peacefully Again with a Custom Sleep Appliance
Losing sleep to sleep apnea can have a significant impact on your quality of life. Fortunately, a custom-designed sleep appliance can help you finally get the rest you deserve. To learn more, call Houston Sleep Solutions in Spring, TX, at (281) 320-2000, or in Pearland, TX, at (832) 564-3508.
