Sleep apnea can range from mild to severe. Some people with obstructive sleep apnea may not even know they have this sleep disorder, but it can still impact their health. However, sleep apnea symptoms can alert you to your disorder. Sleep apnea rarely goes away on its own – most individuals with this condition need treatment to control it. At Northern Virginia Sleep Solutions, we can diagnose and treat sleep apnea if you are experiencing the following symptoms.
- Loud Snoring
- The most common symptom of sleep apnea is snoring. This tends to be very loud and disturbing to others nearby. Sleep apnea often causes breathing through the mouth, which increases snoring and loud breathing while sleeping.
- Dry Mouth or Throat
- Many people with sleep apnea will wake up with a dry mouth or throat. Breathing through the mouth can dry out the tissues. It is common to have a sore or hoarse throat in the mornings.
- Morning Headaches
- The low oxygen levels from continuous stoppage of breathing throughout the night can impact the brain. A common symptom of obstructive sleep apnea is waking up with a headache.
- Daytime Fatigue
- Even if patients with sleep apnea get seven or more hours of sleep, they tend to be tired and fatigued throughout the day. This is due to poor sleep quality – sleep apnea disrupts REM sleep, which is needed to feel refreshed.
- Mental Clarity
- Many patients with sleep apnea notice a difference in their concentration, memory and mental clarity. They may have trouble paying attention or be forgetful due to mental fatigue.
- Insomnia
- Interruptions in breathing can wake you up – you may experience waking up choking or gasping. Many patients with sleep apnea have trouble staying asleep or getting back to sleep, which is a type of insomnia.
Sleep Apnea Complications
Beyond the daily sleep apnea symptoms, this sleep disorder can put you at risk for serious health complications. Those with sleep apnea are at higher risk for:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Atrial fibrillation
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Liver disorders
If you have sleep apnea symptoms, come see us at Northern Virginia Sleep Solutions. We offer diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment for sleep apnea at our clinic in the Arlington, Falls Church and Alexandria, VA, area.
