SLEEP DISORDERS

What is sleep apnea? | What causes sleep apnea? | What are the different types of sleep apnea? | Who suffers from sleep apnea?
What are the symptoms of sleep apnea? | What sleep apnea treatments are available?

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

The most commonly recognized sleep apnea symptoms are:

• Loud snoring. Many cases of sleep apnea result from a blockage to the airway caused, at least in part, by excessive tissue at the back of the throat. When your brain awakens you sufficiently to start breathing again you take in a large breath initially and this causes this excess tissue to vibrate, resulting in loud snoring.
• Excessive daytime tiredness. Because your brain wakes you constantly throughout the night to breathe, you are enjoying only very light, fragmented and poor quality sleep, leaving you still tired at the end of your night's sleep. It should be noted that, although the brain wakes you many times during the night, it only raises your level of consciousness sufficiently for you to breathe. As a result, you are often not aware of this and will wake in the morning believing that you have slept right through the night.

In addition to these main symptoms sleep apnea, if left untreated, can lead to:

• Headaches (particularly in the morning).
• High blood pressure (and other cardiovascular problems).
• Weight gain.
• Depression.
• Irritability.
• Learning and memory difficulties.
• Sexual dysfunction and impotency.

The information contained here should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider.

The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only and in no way should be considered as an offering of medical advice.