Watch Out for Sleep Apnea Symptoms
People who have sleep apnea may not realize that have actually had episodes of sleep apnea during the night. During these periods of non-breathing they probably woke up several times but can’t remember doing so. This causes daytime sleepiness which is a main sleep apnea symptom. Generally people who have sleep apnea snore heavily almost immediately after falling asleep. They then let out a gasp and the snoring quickly returns. This is a repetitive pattern that continues throughout the night.
There are many other tell-tale symptoms of a sleep apnea disorder. They include falling asleep during the day at inappropriate times, being “unrefreshed” in the morning, experiencing continual non-breathing episodes, loud snoring, difficulty with memory, poor concentration, restless sleeping patterns, tendency toward lethargy, morning headaches and changes in personality. Other symptoms include hyperactive behavior and sever swelling of the leg(s).
There is hope for those suffering from this worrisome disease. The primary goal is to keep the airway open, free from obstructions. There are some ways to at least relieve some of the symptoms and they include: 1.) Avoiding alcohol or sedatives before going to bed. 2.) Dental devices such as mouth guards to keep the jaw in a forward position.
3.) weight management or weight loss. One other treatment to try is CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure). And, the very last treatment method is surgery such as Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, Tonsilectomy & Adnoidectomy, Tracheostomy, and Bariatric surgery. These surgeries are usually successful in removing excess tissue in the throat or by creating an opening in the trachea which bypasses the blocked airway. In children, the surgical method of choice is Tonsilectomy and adenoidectomy to remove enlarged tonsils and adenoids.
sleep apnea symptoms are something that shouldn’t be overlooked and ignored. They might signal some very mild form of sleep apnea or they might be a warning that something more serious is going on. See your doctor soon after experiencing any of the above symptoms and let him or her decide which method of treatment is best for you. Try some of the treatments mentioned earlier because you may find one that cures your sleep apnea or at the very least, helps you manage this debilitating medical condition.