Sleep Apnea Symptoms and Warning Signs in Adults
Understanding the warning signs and sleep apnea symptoms could save you or a loved one’s life. In fact, Dr. DeAngelis is able to screen for many sleep apnea symptoms during your exam at our Carlsbad dental office.
Many people don’t realize that sleep apnea causes may tie back to oral anatomy and upper airway blockage. If you’re experiencing any of these sleep apnea symptoms, it can indicate a more serious medical condition that you haven’t yet diagnosed.
These six signs are not to be ignored if you suffer from sleep apnea. We need to know if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.
Top Sleep Apnea Symptoms
How can you know if you have sleep apnea? While a clinical sleep study or take-home sleep study will be needed for a formal diagnosis, there are many warning signs that someone might have sleep apnea.
Here are some of the most common signs to check for:
Weight Gain Or A Large Neck Circumference
Obstructive sleep apnea is more common in people with excess tissue around their throat. This can lead to a constriction in their upper airway and is more common in people with a higher body mass index. Since weight gain and tissue enlargement can cause physical restriction of their airway, it significantly limits airflow when you lie down at night to go sleep. You might even have visibly large tonsils or a neck that is larger in size than what falls into the “normal” range.
Depression and/or Difficulty Concentrating
Do you feel easily distracted? Has your mood felt more “down” lately? People who aren’t getting enough oxygen when they sleep or suffer from poor quality sleep often experience brain dysfunction and changes in metabolism. Your body won’t be able to perform at its peak without a complete’recharge. Brain function, ability to concentrate on work or homework, or feeling depressed all tie back to your sleep health.
Easily Fatigued
Are you tired when you get up in the morning? Your body won’t feel rested if you don’t get enough oxygen when you’re sleeping. People with sleep apnea often feel exhausted all day, even from the moment they wake up.
Worn, Flattened Teeth
Our bodies have a natural tendency to clench our jaws and teeth together when oxygen is scarce. This “bruxing effect will lead to extensive tooth-on–tooth wear that can cause flattened chewing surfaces, and damaged dental work. Your teeth may even have sharp edges where the enamel is wearing down.
TMJ Pain, Headaches or Migraines
Grinding and teeth clenching can lead to problems with the jaw joint (TMJ), as well as the surrounding muscles tissues. People with sleep apnea may experience chronic headaches and migraines if they are subject to constant tension during the night.
Heart Disease and High Blood Pressure
Untreated sleep apnea can have a significant impact on your cardiovascular health. People with high blood pressure often don’t realize that their sleep disorder may be contributing to their condition. Unfortunately, fatal strokes and heart attacks are even more likely in people who have untreated sleep apnea symptoms.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea blocks the airway at the back of your mouth. Soft tissues often collapse against each other, which may also lead to snoring in some people.
Should You Treat Sleep Apnea?
If you don’t get treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, your chances of a stroke or heart attack can increase dramatically. High blood pressure and chronic fatigue can also increase your risk for health complications or automobile accidents.
Sleep Apnea Treatment in Carlsbad
Dr. Anakarina DeAngelis will routinely check for sleep disorders and sleep apnea during your dental exam. DeAngelis Family Dentistry in Carlsbad can help you if you suspect you may have a sleep-related condition. From there, Dr. DeAngelis may recommend sleep apnea treatment (in Carlsbad) such as a special dental appliance that naturally improves oxygen intake while you’re sleeping.
Can sleep apnea be treated with the help of our Carlsbad dentist? Absolutely. Call DeAngelis Family Dentistry today to reserve an exam and sleep screening.
