Sleep Apnea Symptoms You Should Know

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder, but an estimated four out of five sufferers don’t know they have it. Recognizing its symptoms can be the first step in getting an accurate diagnosis and the treatment you need. Our Agoura Hills dentist works with patients to help them get the answers they need.

Some symptoms of sleep apnea that should not be ignored include:

1. Loud or chronic snoring

Snoring is perhaps the best-known symptom of sleep apnea. It occurs when the airway becomes partially obstructed, which causes the soft tissues to vibrate as the air passes over them.

2. Pauses in breathing

If the airway becomes completely obstructed, your breathing will stop for a few seconds. This causes your blood oxygen levels to drop and your brain to rouse just enough to reopen the airways. You might not remember waking up, but your quality of sleep will be greatly negatively affected, especially since apnea events can occur dozens of times an hour and hundreds of times a night.

3. Feeling tired

You are not getting enough sleep, which can cause you to feel excessively sleepy in the daytime. You might also be waking up with a dry mouth or a sore throat, or suffer from frequent headaches, especially in the morning.

Call us today to learn more or to schedule a consultation with our sleep apnea dentist.