Do you feel like you’re not getting enough sleep at night? You may try hard to set a good sleep schedule, but when you wake up, you may still feel tired or restless. It may not be on the number of hours but on the continuity of your sleep. It is possible you’re not getting quality rest when your body needs it the most. Something may be stopping you from resting continuously during the night.
Try asking a family member how you sleep. Inquire if you snore loudly or if they notice anything strange about your sleeping behavior. When they tell you that you do snore and stops for a brief moment, it is time to be alarmed. You may be suffering from sleep apnea.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder described as the sudden loss of air during sleep. The muscles in your oral cavity and throat tend to relax and descend. This blocks the air passages allowing little to almost no air into your system as you sleep. The breaks in snoring often indicate you are not breathing and slowly running out of oxygen. You may awaken from choking as you try to catch your breath.
How does it affect your life?
Oxygen is necessary for your vital organs to work properly. It is also an important component in repairing damages and recharging your energy. Without enough supply during sleep, you may wake up feeling tired or lacking energy (lethargy). Sufferers may experience morning drowsiness, mild headaches, and lack of focus.
What can you do about it?
You may read different articles on “what is sleep apnea?” but the best person to learn from is a expert on sleep. Visit an expert and undergo a sleep test. This test will determine whether you are suffering from the condition or not. When you receive a diagnosis, only then may the doctor offer you options for treatment. Common treatments include oral appliances provided by your dentists.
You may call our office for a consultation on sleep apnea, and know your options to remedy the disorder. Leaving it untreated may lead to other health problems.