It seems like everyone complains about not getting a good night’s sleep. More than a quarter of all Americans say they have problems sleeping, according to Consumer Reports – everything from trouble falling asleep to trouble staying asleep. As bad as al that is, though, sleep apnea is an issue in a class by itself, but there is help available at Poss Sleep Apnea & TMJ Solutions in Brentwood.
Sleep apnea is actually more common than you might think. There are several types of sleep apnea, but what they have in common is that your breathing is interrupted while you sleep, over and over through the night.
That might not sound all that serious, in and of itself. But left untreated, sleep apnea contributes to some serious, potentially life-threatening conditions:
- Type 2 diabestes
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Heart attack
There are some tell-tale signs that someone has sleep apnea. Loud snoring is often mentioned, and it is not to be downplayed, but snoring alone is not a symptom.
Signs of Sleep Apnea
Common signs include:
- Loud snoring, accompanied by pauses in breathing. This can happen repeatedly through the night.
- Insomnia
- Daytime sleepiness
- Waking up with a headache
- Waking up with a dry mouth or a sore throat
- Trouble concentrating on what you’re doing during the day
- Irritability and mood swings
Certain risk factors have also been identified, such as:
- Being overweight
- Drinking alcohol
- Sexual dysfunction
Sleep apnea occurs most often in adults, but children are not immune. According to a study at Johns Hopkins Univeristy, up to twenty percent of children who snore may have it.
The bottom line is that sleep apnea is more common than we tend to think. The first step to treating it is an accurate diagnosis. Poss Sleep Apnea & TMJ Solutions in Brentwood TN specializes in sleep apnea treatment. If you think that you, or someone close to you, has sleep apnea, do not hesitate to contact us today.
