Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that occurs during sleep. People with sleep apnea stop breathing throughout the night. This condition is often characterized by loud snoring and gasping.

Sleep apnea is often caused by blockages in the airway. These blockages can be caused by excess tissue in the back of the throat, collapsed airway, or the tongue falling back into the throat during sleep.

Here are some of the symptoms you should look at:

Tiredness Throughout the Day

Dentists can often recognize sleep apnea symptoms by listening to patients and observing their symptoms. For example, many people with sleep apnea will report feeling tired throughout the day if they don’t stop breathing throughout the night. If your dentist suspects sleep apnea, they will recommend you visit a medical doctor for a diagnosis.

Snoring

Snoring can lead to serious health complications like high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and even heart disease. If your partner or roommate tells you that you snore, it may be a sign of sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is a condition where a person temporarily stops breathing at night. This can happen several times during the night and is usually followed by gasping for air.

Sleepiness

If your sleep apnea is left untreated, you may start noticing that you’re excessively tired during the day. Even if you’ve had a full night’s rest, you may still end up feeling exhausted.

Sleepiness can be caused by sleep apnea. During a sleep apnea episode, your airway may be obstructed. As a result, you may not have the proper oxygen intake, causing you to feel tired.

Morning Headaches

If you wake up with a headache in the morning, it could be due to sleep apnea. Your jaw muscles relax during sleep, and if you suffer from sleep apnea, your airways can collapse and block airflow. When this happens, your jaw muscles can contract or spasm, which causes pain in the back of the head, neck, and teeth.

Memory Loss

If your partner has sleep apnea, you may notice that they suddenly begin to lose their memory. This can happen because the brain and body are deprived of oxygen. As a result, your loved one may forget things more frequently.

Difficulty Concentrating

Sleep apnea can also cause daytime drowsiness. People with sleep apnea may often fall asleep during the day. They also may feel fatigued during the day. This can be caused by nighttime sleep apnea, which prevents the body from getting the restorative sleep it needs. When people spend their nights gasping for air, they aren’t getting enough rest.

Irritability

Some patients with sleep apnea might be irritable. They may become easily agitated, angry, or frustrated. They might have a short temper or yell or scream at others. They might also lash out at others with sarcasm, name-calling, or angry looks.

Mood Swings

Sleep apnea is correlated with a higher risk of depression. This is because sleep deprivation has a negative impact on your mood. But sleep apnea may also cause depression directly. A lack of oxygen can cause depression, and sleep apnea causes oxygen deprivation.

Trouble Sleeping at Night

The most common sign of sleep apnea is snoring. However, snoring is so common that it doesn’t mean you have sleep apnea.

People with sleep apnea often do not sleep well at night. They may wake up frequently in the middle of the night or wake up feeling very unrested.

Schedule an appointment with Foxfield Dental for professional dental cleanings. Visit us at 16350 E Arapahoe Rd Unit #114, Foxfield, CO 80016. Contact us at (720) 870-0401 or visit our website to book an appointment.