Sleep Apnea Signs

A good night's sleep is frustratingly tricky for individuals with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea affects up to 9% of American adults and nearly 100 million people worldwide. Though you might have heard of sleep apnea, what you may not know is that there are three types. According to the Mayo Clinic:

• Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common and happens when the muscles in the throat relax.
• Central sleep apnea results from a disconnect between the brain and body parts that control breathing.
• Complex sleep apnea is a blend of both and requires immediate treatment.

Symptoms

If your partner complains about your snoring, it might indicate that you have sleep apnea, but there are warning signs other than sawing logs. Because the condition has been linked with a higher risk for Type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart attack and stroke, it's essential to look beyond snoring for sleep apnea symptoms. If you experience any of these symptoms, you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to investigate your possibility of having obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea or both.

• Intense thirst after waking up. Snoring can cause dry mouth and a sore throat.
• A pounding head in the morning. Poor sleep can leave you with a headache when you rise and shine.
• A sore jaw or sensitive teeth. You could be clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth at night to force enough air through the airway.
• Lots of nighttime bathroom breaks. Interrupted sleep can lead to more frequent urges to use the facilities.
• Feeling like a zombie during the day. Poor sleep can cause daytime drowsiness. Sleep deprivation causes brain fog, forgetfulness in the short term, but over time can lead to obesity, insulin resistance, heart disease and high blood pressure.
• Acting like a grumpier, less focused version of yourself. If sleep apnea prevents you from getting good sleep, you may have trouble concentrating, solving problems and interacting with others.

Certain obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk factors, such as being male, age and family history, are beyond your control, but that doesn't mean you're powerless to prevent OSA. Follow these steps:

STEP 1: Start by doing something that will improve your health in myriad ways— quit smoking. Lighting up makes you more susceptible to OSA.

STEP 2: Exercise regularly and follow a nutritious, balanced diet to eliminate excess weight. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, having a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher and a neck circumference of greater than 16 inches for women and 17 inches for men increases the risk for OSA.

STEP 3: If you have high blood pressure or diabetes, work with your primary care doctor to manage these OSA-associated chronic diseases and conditions.

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