Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a disorder where you can repeatedly stop and start breathing throughout the night. This occurs because while you sleep your throat muscles relax and end up blocking your airway, making it hard for you to breathe. This disorder poses many problems for those who suffer from it, but one of the larger issues is that people often do not realize they have it as they do not know about the obstructive sleep apnea symptoms. Since it occurs while you are asleep, many go long stretches of time without realizing there is a problem.
Another issue with the disorder is recognizing the signs. As some of them can be as simple as snoring, those with the disorder may not realize the severity of the issue. Thankfully, there are a few simple symptoms you can look out for, as well as the obstructive sleep apnea treatments that are discussed below.
What are Obstructive Sleep Apnea symptoms?
One of the best ways to know which obstructive sleep apnea treatments will work for you is to know the symptoms. It can be helpful to have someone sleep with you, or at least in the same room, who will be able to recognize the signs of OSA.
There are 4 major signs that you have OSA, some of which you can recognize yourself and some of which you may need someone else around to recognize. The symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea:
- Snoring loud enough to disturb your sleep or that of others
- Waking up gasping or choking
- Intermittent pauses in your breathing during sleep
- Excessive daytime drowsiness, which may cause you to fall asleep while you’re working, watching television or even driving a vehicle
It is important to note that many people who do not have OSA also snore. Simply snoring may not indicate an OSA diagnosis, but if it is paired with one or more of the other Obstructive Sleep Apnea symptoms, alert your doctor of the issue. If it is impairing your sleep or others, it may still be beneficial to tell your doctor and ask about possible remedies.
Are there other signs?
There are many other obstructive sleep apnea symptoms for you to look out for. If you notice that you have one or more of these symptoms and suspect that OSA may be the cause of it, let your doctor know of your concerns so you can discuss the appropriate obstructive sleep apnea treatments.
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Loud snoring
- Observed episodes of stopped breathing during sleep
- Abrupt awakenings accompanied by gasping or choking
- Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Morning headache
- Difficulty concentrating during the day
- Experiencing mood changes, such as depression or irritability
- High blood pressure
- Nighttime sweating
- Decreased libido
Remember that some of these obstructive sleep apnea symptoms may be better noticed by a loved one rather than yourself, especially in the case of pauses in your breathing and loud snoring.
Contact Florida Sinus & Snoring Specialists for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatments
There are multiple options for obstructive sleep apnea treatments, from devices meant to keep your airways open to minimally invasive procedures. If you think OSA is a problem for you, discuss possible treatment plans with your physician to determine which is best for you. If you have any questions about OSA or any of its signs or symptoms, please contact the Florida Sinus & Snoring Specialists at 954-951-4773 or visit our locations in Fort Lauderdale or Plantation.
