Sleep Apnea: Five Possible Warning Signs

If your breathing is disturbed while you're sleeping, you could have a serious sleep problem called sleep apnea. If you snore loudly or feel exhausted, you may have sleep apnea. Here are five signs that you may have sleep apnea:

1. Your snoring can be heard from a distance.
2. You get feelings of exhaustion throughout the day.
3. It is challenging for you to focus your attention on something.
4. You are prone to experiencing changes in your mood or anger.
5. While sleeping, you experience periods of short or weak breathing.

In our previous blog, we explained 5 things to do to prevent sleep apnea in Cary. However, if you have any or a combination of these signs, you should consider consulting your doctor to see if you need to be evaluated for sleep apnea.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a major sleep issue that interrupts your breathing during sleep. The three most common types of sleep apnea are central sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, and complex sleep apnea syndrome.

1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea:

   It occurs when your throat muscles relax and block your airway during sleep. This can cause snoring and make it difficult for you to get enough oxygen, leading to fatigue and daytime drowsiness.

2. Central Sleep Apnea:

   It takes place when your brain is unable to provide the appropriate signals to the nerves that are responsible for controlling your breathing.

3. Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome:

   Treatment-emergent central sleep apnea is another popular term for it. This condition happens when a person has multiple sleep apnea simultaneously.

How is Sleep Apnea Diagnosed?

If you suspect that you have sleep apnea, see your doctor for an evaluation. Your physician will inquire about your medical background and symptoms and may order a sleep study to confirm the diagnosis. A sleep study is a painless test that records your brain waves, heart rate, breathing, and muscle activity while you sleep. Once your doctor has diagnosed sleep apnea, they can recommend treatment options to help you get a restful night's sleep.

Conclusion:

When it comes to treating sleep apnea in Cary, the CPAP machine is the way to go. The CPAP system consists of a mask, a tube that runs from the mask to the machine's engine, and a tube that carries the blown air to the patient. You can also lessen the severity of sleep apnea by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, says Dr. Charles Ferzli from TMJ.