How To Stop Snoring

Sleep apnea is a sometimes insidious disorder that takes years to identify.  Since most of the identifiable symptoms occur during sleep, it can be very difficult to notice them.  Luckily, these symptoms are readily identifiable by a spouse or roommate.  If a bed partner knows what signs to look for, sleep apnea can be spotted before it has a serious impact on health.

Sleep apnea is problematic not only because it keeps a person from feeling well rested.  It also leads to worsening health and increased health care.  Sometimes it can even be fatal because it worsens heart conditions and high blood pressure.  Luckily, you can learn what to look for so you can recognize potential cases of sleep apnea in your loved ones.

 Things to Look For 

Following are some of of the signs that indicate sleep apnea may be a problem.

1.  Snoring.  Many people snore and it doesn’t necessarily mean they suffer from sleep apnea.  However, snoring is a universal symptom of sleep apnea.  Extremely loud or chronic snorers could have this disorder.  This is doubly so if their snoring goes along with gasps or choking for air.

2.  Breathing problems.  Sleep apnea makes it difficult to breath during sleep.  Sometimes breathing altogether stops for short spurts of time.  If your partner snores regularly but then stops breathing for ten or more seconds at a time, sleep apnea may be the problem.

3.  Excessive daytime sleepiness, or EDS.  EDS is characterized by sleepiness that persists throughout the day.  People with sleep apnea often suffer from sleepiness on a regular basis, and may find it difficult to stay awake while doing monotonous tasks.  EDS is a potentially dangerous condition, especially while operating a motor vehicle.

4.  Daytime fatigue.  The low quality of sleep gained from those with sleep apnea can result in fatigue.  Often they will have trouble remembering  things and might not be able to concentrate on the task at hand.  It might also result in mood swings or anxiousness.

 5.  Depression.  Depression often accompanies sleep apnea.  Indeed, those with sleep apnea are five times more likely to be depressed than those without a sleep disorder. 

6.  Headaches.  It isn’t uncommon for those with sleep apnea to wake up with a headache.  In fact, about half of patients report getting headaches on a regular basis.  Sometimes these occur throughout the night.

 7.  Additional symptoms.  Those with sleep apnea might need to urinate several times during the night.  They also might wake up sweaty and with a dry throat.  Sexual disfunction can be caused by untreated sleep apnea too. 

Usually the more of these potential symptoms a person has, the more severe the case of sleep apnea.  Sometimes a doctor can make a diagnosis based on reported symptoms and a look at the medical records.  Other times it may be necessary to participate in a sleep study, which gives a doctor the required information to make an accurate diagnosis.

 If you notice these symptoms in another person, then let them know it could be a result of sleep apnea.  The sooner this sleep disorder is treated, the better. 

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