Friday, March 7, 2014

Do You Know the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

A recent column by a Kansas-based pulmonary specialist in The Wichita Eagle reports that an estimated 13 percent of men and 6 percent of women between the ages of 30 and 70 experience some degree of sleep apnea. If you believe you or a loved one suffers from this harmful sleep disorder, it’s important to recognize the symptoms of sleep apnea and know when to seek treatment.

Sleep apnea is characterized by intermittent to regular breathing cessation during sleep. When breathing stops, the amount of oxygen in the blood decreases. Short-term, apnea can interrupt your ability to get a good night’s rest; long-term, this disorder increases your risk of cardiovascular problems, obesity, depression, and other serious illnesses.

Despite the dangers if left untreated, there are early signs and symptoms of the disorder that could indicate you’re suffering from sleep apnea. These symptoms include:

·         Loud, heavy snoring
·         Waking from sleep during the night choking or gasping for breath
·         Feelings of fatigue when waking up and throughout the day
·         Headaches in the morning
·         Weight gain
·         Difficulty thinking or remembering

If you suffer from symptoms like these, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible. To find out more about sleep apnea symptoms and possible treatments for the disorder, please contact a sleep doctor in your area or call 1-866-727-6275 (1-8-NO-PAP-MASK) today.

http://www.ihateheadaches.org/