What are the symptoms?

• Loud snoring
• Gasping or choking for air during sleep
• Severe daytime drowsiness or fatigue
• Frequent urination during the night (the body’s attempt to control elevated blood pressure)
• Morning headaches (from blood pressure or jaw clenching)
• Chronic heartburn
• Nightmares or insomnia

Some of the symptoms are vague and may seem completely unrelated, which is why it important to see a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment recommendations.

What is Sleep Apnea?

During sleep, the muscles in the mouth, jaw, and throat naturally relax. However, for those who have obstructive sleep apnea, these muscles become so relaxed that they collapse and obstruct the airway, making it difficult to breath and commonly stopping breathing for 10 or more seconds. Because of the decrease in airflow, the person then wakes up through-out the night, causing lack of sleep.

When there is too much weight around the neck, this can compress the airway, disrupting normal breathing and sleep cycles. Many patients don’t know that they have sleep apnea, and possibly do not think sleep apnea is something dangerous, but the disorder can cause low blood oxygen levels and even a severe form of congestive heart failure. Sleep Apnea can present many health risks. Sleep apnea has been linked to an increased risk of stroke, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, depression, and diabetes. It is crucial to recognize these symptoms and take precautions immediately.