Do you ever just wake up feeling… exhausted? Maybe no matter how many hours of sleep you’ve managed to get? Sleep apnea could be the reason – especially if you’ve tried going to bed earlier. This is one of those conditions that goes unnoticed for years because it happens while you sleep.
In fact, some people just so happen to find out they have sleep apnea because a partner notices. They spot the signs – maybe they stop breathing or gasp for air during the night. It’s estimated that 80% of people are unaware they have the condition, with only six million diagnosed.
The more you know about sleep apnea before looking into treatment, the easier it is to understand what’s going on and what your options might be.
So, if you think sleep apnea sounds familiar to you, keep reading to learn more.
The Main Types of Sleep Apnea
When people talk about sleep apnea, they’re usually referring to one type – obstructive sleep apnea. This is the most common. It happens when the muscles in the throat relax too much. As a result, the airway becomes blocked for short periods.
Central sleep apnea is different. Instead of a blocked airway, the brain temporarily fails to tell the body to keep breathing normally. There’s also a less common form called complex sleep apnea, which combines features of both.
Your treatment will depend on the type you have as well as how severe it is. While many people benefit from CPAP therapy, it’s not the only approach. Some patients are able to explore sleep apnea treatment without CPAP – of course, this is only after discussing the available options with their healthcare provider.
The Common Symptoms to Track
Snoring tends to get all the attention. It’s loud, so how can you miss it? But sleep apnea is much more than making noise at night.
Do you wake up with a headache most mornings? Is your mouth always dry? Do you find yourself nodding off in meetings? Are you struggling to concentrate by the afternoon?
Some people become unusually irritable without realizing that poor sleep is the real cause.
And then there are the symptoms you might never notice yourself. Long pauses in breathing, choking sounds, or sudden gasps for air are often spotted by whoever shares your bed before you become aware of them.
The Key Risk Factors
There’s no single reason why someone develops sleep apnea. Weight is a factor for many people. It certainly isn’t the entire story, though.
Age. Family history. Smoking. Drinking alcohol in the evening. Even the shape of your jaw or airway! All of these can – and do – play a part. Ongoing nasal congestion will make things much worse, too.
The important thing to remember here is, having a few risk factors doesn’t automatically mean you have sleep apnea. They’re simply pieces of the puzzle that help doctors build a clearer picture.
The Lifestyle Adjustments That Help
Although not a cure on their own, lifestyle changes make a noticeable difference at times.
For some people, losing weight reduces pressure on the airway. Others find that avoiding alcohol before bed helps them sleep more comfortably. Sleep on your side, if you can. This will reduce breathing interruptions, too.
To conclude, getting assessed is the best way to find out what’s really going on. This is the only way to find out if you have sleep apnea. Only then will your healthcare provider be able to choose a treatment.
And hopefully your sleep will improve.