Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Sleep apnea symptoms

       Not everyone who snores suffers from sleep apnea. Only if the person snores and stopped breathing the doctor will confirm or deny that he suffers from sleep apnea syndrome. It's true that snoring is one strong main symptoms of sleep apnea, but their list is much longer and should make you react!
Here are the most common sleep apnea symptoms:

• Strong and irregular snoring
• Fatigue
• Daytime sleepiness
• Low power concentration
• Weakness
• Nervousness
• Headache
• Depression
• Sweating at night
• Hypertension
• Heart rhythm disturbances

       Sleep apnea is a serious illness! If you ignore it, you risk your health! Consequences:

• sexual dysfunction
• nasal bleeding
• stroke
• hypertension
• heart rhythm disturbances
• coronary heart disease
• sudden death
• depression
• high risk of accident due to sudden sleepiness

How to know if I suffer from sleep apnea syndrome?

       The syndrome of sleep apnea is often detected by a spouse, a privileged witness of the two major symptoms: snoring and nocturnal respiratory arrests. This syndrome is frequently associated with hypertension and overweight.

       The syndrome of sleep apnea affects more men, overweight people and its frequency increases with age. However, research shows that children and postmenopausal women are also at risk. In many cases, the bed partner or someone who sleeps nearby may be the first person to notice the problem, hear loud snoring and notice the struggle for air in the sleeper.

       Coworkers may notice that you look tired during the day or you should realize if you have difficulties is staying awake when driving. Any of these signs indicate that you may have a problem and you should consult your doctor.

       This action is repeated frequently throughout the night. Other sleep apnea symptoms may include:

• Waking up tired in the morning
• Depression (possibly)
• Episodes of not breathing (apnea)
• Lethargy
• Loud snoring
• Memory Difficulties
• Personality changes
• Restless sleep

       Additional sleep apnea symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• Hyperactive behavior, especially in children
• Leg swelling

       The doctor will perform a physical exam, which involves a careful review of the mouth, neck and throat. He will ask you about your medical history. He will also ask you a number of questions about daytime sleepiness, sleep quality and sleep habits. He uses a sleep study to confirm the obstructive sleep apnea.

       Other tests that may be done include:

• Blood gases
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Echocardiography
• Thyroid function studies

Complications

       People who have sleep apnea symptoms and who ignore them, are more prone to complications. One of the most important complications of sleep apnea are the cardiovascular diseases. Other complications are daytime fatigue, complications during medications and surgery and sleep deprived partners.