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The primary signs of sleep apnea include loud snoring, choking, or gasping for air during sleep. Noticeable pauses in breathing are also common indicators. A bed partner often reports these symptoms rather than the affected individual.
Common symptoms of sleep apnea include:
One of the main signs of sleep apnea is excessive daytime sleepiness. It manifests as persistent tiredness and fatigue throughout the day, regardless of how much sleep you think you’ve had. This can significantly impact your ability to function at work or school and can be dangerous when performing tasks that require alertness, such as driving.
Yes, morning headaches are a common symptom of sleep apnea. These headaches are usually caused by the lack of oxygen reaching the brain during the night due to interrupted breathing. The headaches typically resolve within a few hours of waking up.
Sleep apnea disrupts the sleep cycle, particularly the deep stages of sleep that are crucial for memory consolidation and cognitive function. As a result, people with sleep apnea often struggle with concentration, memory recall, and decision-making during the day.
A dry mouth or a sore throat upon waking is a common complaint among those with sleep apnea. This is often due to mouth breathing during sleep, which can occur when the airway is partially blocked. The airflow through the mouth can dry out the mucous membranes, leading to discomfort.
Untreated sleep apnea can have serious long-term health consequences, including an increased risk of hypertension, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and metabolic disorders. It can also exacerbate existing conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
If you suspect you have sleep apnea, it’s crucial to seek professional evaluation and treatment. A sleep study can diagnose the condition, either at a sleep center or through a home sleep apnea test. Treatment options such as oral appliances or lifestyle changes may be recommended based on the results.
Understanding the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea is the first step toward improving your sleep quality and overall health. At Cosmos Dental in Bellevue, WA, we are dedicated to helping our patients achieve better sleep and health. Call (425) 448-4770 to learn more about our sleep apnea treatment options. Your journey to restful nights and healthier days starts here.
Dr. Tokiko Poppe graduated from the University of the Pacific's
Arthur Dugoni School of
Dentistry in San Francisco. She has received extensive training in all aspects
of
dentistry and was involved in craniofacial research and studies on cleft lip and palate
in school.
Dr. Poppe also completed a General Practice Residency in California, where she cared for
medically-compromised adults at Veterans Hospital and children under general anesthesia
at the University Medical Center. She is a member of the ADA, AAGO, AAPMD, WSDA, SKCD,
AGD, American Laser Study, TBI Ambassadors, and AMR advanced program. She has
completed
Spear Education which dentists pursue to learn complex restorative dentistry. Dr. Poppe
is also an osteopathic-trained dentist, having learned the whole-body approach from
osteopathic physicians. She follows continuing education to stay abreast of the latest
dental trends and enjoys sharing her knowledge with her community.
She also holds a Japanese dental license and speaks Japanese and English.