Sleep Apnea Symptoms
What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
Further Reading
Do you snore at night, sometimes loudly enough that you wake your partner or other family members? Have you been experiencing lethargy or other unexplained symptoms, such as a change in your libido? Is your thinking less sharp than it used to be? Do you wake up tired as if you have not slept enough all night? All of these above mentioned could be symptoms of sleep apnea.
Other Symptoms
Often, the first sign that you have sleep apnea is when a partner complains about your snoring. While snoring is one of the most common symptoms, you may have sleep apnea even if you don’t snore. The other symptoms that may be first noticed by you or another person are choking, gasping or a pause in your breathing while asleep.
Another sign that you may have sleep apnea is daytime fatigue. With sleep apnea, you may wake up multiple times each night because of your breathing issues even if you don’t remember doing so. On the other hand, you may also be aware that you are sleeping restlessly without knowing why. Sleeplessness is another sign that you could have sleep apnea.
If you are suffering from headaches, especially in the morning, sleep apnea could be the culprit. Sleep apnea may also cause you to wake up with a sore throat or a dry mouth because you are breathing with your mouth open while you sleep.
Some sleep apnea symptoms may seem unrelated to sleep at all. Sleep apnea can cause a low libido and erectile dysfunction. You might also have sleep apnea if you are suffering from irritability or depression or if you feel as though you have lost your focus and are unable to concentrate.
Risk Factors
Several factors increase the likelihood that you will develop sleep apnea. One of the main risk factors is being overweight or obese. In general, you are classified as overweight if you have a body mass index of at least 25 and obese if your BMI is at least 30. There are calculators online that calculate your BMI based on your weight and height. However, it is important to be aware that sleep apnea can occur at any weight.
Neck size is another risk factor. If your neck has a diameter of at least 17 inches, you may be more likely to develop sleep apnea because your airway could be blocked by the additional soft tissue found in larger necks.
Being male and middle-aged are also risk factors as is having high . You might also be more likely to develop sleep apnea if other family members have it. Certain physical features that you inherit increase the likelihood of sleep apnea. These include a recessed jaw and a tendency toward obesity. Even environmental factors, including how much exercise you get and what your diet is like, can contribute to sleep apnea risk.
If you are experiencing some of the symptoms associated with sleep apnea, even if you don’t snore and aren’t overweight, book an appointment online with us at the Low T Center today. We can work with you to get to the bottom of your symptoms and help you feel better.