Sleepapneais a disorder in which a person experiences pauses in their breathing during sleep.
These pauses last 10 seconds or longer, and can occur repeatedly throughout the night.
This irregular breathing and lack of oxygen lead to a range of symptoms from snoring to daytime sleepiness todepression.
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This article discusses the symptoms and risk factors for sleep apnea.
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What Is Sleep Apnea?
A person with sleep apnea can have up to hundreds of breathing pauses during sleep.
During these pauses, the heart rate drops and the body is deprived of oxygen.
This causes the heart rate and blood pressure to rise quickly.
This process is stressful on the body.
Symptoms
Both acute and chronic impacts of sleep apnea lead to a variety of symptoms.
People who have greater than 30 breathing pauses per hour are at a higher risk of developing chronic symptoms.
Therefore, for most people with sleep apnea, the earliest warning sign they notice is increased daytime sleepiness.
Risks Factors
There are some well-known risk factors for developing sleep apnea.
Some of these are modifiable, meaning you’re able to change them.
Therefore, it’s essential to seek diagnosis and treatment if you think you might have sleep apnea.
If you notice any symptoms or early warning signs of sleep apnea, talk to your healthcare provider.
Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Not everyone with sleep apnea snores, particularly those with central sleep apnea.
Therefore, it’s also important that you mention any daytime fatigue or difficulty concentrating to your healthcare provider.
Symptoms result from the impact of interrupted breathing during sleep.
These include snoring, choking or gasping, insomnia, daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and more.
There are manyeffective treatments for sleep apnea, including manageable lifestyle changes.
Be sure to contact your healthcare provider if you experience any symptoms of sleep apnea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, sleep apnea can be fatal.
In some mild cases of sleep apnea, lifestyle changes can eliminate episodes.
It may also sound like loud, sudden, or chronic snoring.
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