Sleep apnea is among the most common sleep disorders in children, infants, and adults. With sleep apnea, an individual’s breathing is continuously interrupted during sleep. One of the primary health concerns is unawareness of sleep apnea. As such, you ought to know the signs of sleep apnea. Once you notice these symptoms, make sure you visit a doctor for treatment before the condition causes other health conditions, such as heart disease or type 2 diabetes.
Snoring
Chronic, lung snoring is the most cited sign of sleep apnea. Snoring is the sound produced due to vibrations in your upper respiratory airways when asleep. Partial obstructions or blockage cause snoring because air gets restricted from moving through the airways. Unfortunately, most people who snore don’t realize it until someone else does. However, some people who snore don’t have sleep apnea, while others with sleep apnea don’t always snore.
You Have High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is often linked to sleep apnea. You can get hypertension as a result of frequent pauses during sleep. When your brain wakes from sleep because it notices that it’s not getting enough oxygen levels, it results in a spike in blood pressure. The spike in blood pressure occurs when your brain restricts blood vessels in order to kick-start your body system into functioning again. When this frequently happens at night, your body gets used to restricting blood vessels, and high blood pressure becomes an issue.
You Are Tired All the Time
You may think that you got enough sleep because you slept for seven to nine hours. However, the frequent pauses during sleep add up to hours of lost sleep time. One of the signs of sleep apnea is excessive daytime sleepiness, which is characterized by daytime fatigue. It may be time to see a sleep expert if you have experienced any of these signs. Sleep apnea, when left untreated, causes medical concerns and risks like stroke and heart failure. Parents should watch their children and infants as they sleep to see if any of these signs are present.
