30701 Woodward Ave, Suite 200
Royal Oak, MI 48073
Royal Oak, MI 48073
According to the American Lung Association, an estimated 30 million Americans live with obstructive sleep apnea; that’s almost 20 times the population of Manhattan. Yet only 6 million Americans have actually been diagnosed with the disorder. That’s kind of scary when you go over the specifics.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a disorder in which patients stop breathing at different intervals throughout the night. This is caused by the throat muscles relaxing, blocking the airway. Patients don’t notice what is going on because they are asleep when this occurs, which is why they don’t often seek treatment.
Undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and even dementia. Patients who develop the disorder fail to get a full night’s rest, which can cause car accidents and work-related injuries. It can be a huge detriment to quality of life. But most patients don’t know the warning signs, and many aren’t aware that the disorder exists.
It’s time to educate yourself about obstructive sleep apnea. Know the warning signs and symptoms and how to address them before they affect your health.
The symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea can be elusive. Many occur while you are sleeping, which means you won’t be conscious of them, and they can also be mistaken for normal behavior. But there are warning signs, and some do come up while you’re awake. Let’s go over them below.
Snoring
Snoring is the symptom that is most commonly associated with obstructive sleep apnea. Not everyone who snores has the disorder. For some people, it’s just natural. It could also be a sign of another condition. Snorers with sleep apnea are quite loud. Spouses will often notice it and complain, and they frequently report lapses in breathing. This is how most people who suffer from sleep apnea are diagnosed.
Daytime Drowsiness
People who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea wake up roughly 15 to 25 times an hour, which makes restful sleep impossible. When they get up the next day, they find themselves in a drowsy stupor. They often report having trouble paying attention to daily tasks. They experience fatigue and confusion. These are all common symptoms, but most people don’t notice them until after they receive a diagnosis.
Moodiness
Mood and restfulness are directly related. When patients can’t get enough sleep, they will experience anger, anxiety, and even depression. This can cause serious repercussions on a personal level. It strains relationships. It can affect a patient’s career. It may even lead to them seeking psychiatric help. But it’s rarely traced back to sleep apnea.
Morning Headaches
Morning headaches are one of the less common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, but they can be painful and debilitating. They are characterized by a pressing, not pulsing pain that can be felt on both sides of the head. Patients who experience them do not report sensitivity to light and sound. They can last up to four hours, and they do interfere with daily life.
Have you been getting complaints about your snoring? Are you experiencing drowsiness throughout the day? Do you suspect that you might have obstructive sleep apnea?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions then it might be time for you to speak with a specialist. At our ENT clinic, we specialize in diagnosing and treating cases of obstructive sleep apnea. We provide extensive consultations, testing, and real solutions, and we’ve been serving the Royal Oak community for decades.
Call or text us at (248) 737-4030 to book an appointment today.