What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

October 16, 2023

Sleep apnea can affect a person’s quality of life and lead to several health consequences. While there is no cure, it can be effectively managed in several ways, allowing people to get a restful night’s sleep.

However, it’s crucial to understand the signs of sleep apnea and get the right treatment as soon as possible. Check out this short blog post to learn the symptoms of sleep apnea and how you can manage it.

Common Signs of Sleep Apnea

Most people first suspect they suffer from sleep apnea when a partner complains of loud snoring. However, there are several other signs to look out for, including:

Waking up with a dry mouth
Feeling drained as soon as you wake up
Morning headaches
Feeling tired and drowsy throughout the day
Increased irritability
Difficulty focusing even on simple tasks, etc.

Sleep apnea is essentially a condition where you temporarily stop breathing while you sleep. The condition therefore affects oxygen flow to the brain, which is why you can experience all these symptoms.

The issue is that such symptoms could indicate the presence of other sleep disorders or medical issues as well. That’s why you need to see a sleep disorder specialist to get the proper diagnosis.

How Is Sleep Apnea Treated?

Your treatment may include:

Lifestyle changes: Losing weight, not smoking or drinking alcohol, and changing your diet may help reduce the severity of your sleep disorder.
Custom mouthguards: These oral appliances hold your jaw in a more optimal position, which helps you breathe throughout the night.
CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure): A special machine that delivers a constant flow of oxygen through a mask placed on the nose. You will need to wear it while sleeping, but for severe cases of sleep apnea, it may be the best solution to reduce your discomfort.

Who Treats Sleep Apnea?

You can get sleep apnea treatment in Southington from a dentist. Though they cannot diagnose the disorder (only a specialist can do that), some dentists may help you access the right sleep apnea management plan.

The most common ones are custom mouthguards, which most dentists already offer since they can be helpful for patients who grind their teeth. Some dental practices can also offer CPAPs and even resources on the many lifestyle changes you can make to manage your system.

Your dentist may also recommend a sleep specialist if you suspect you suffer from the disorder. Once you get the official diagnosis, the dentist can help establish a personalized management plan.