Exploring Sleep Apnea: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
If you or your spouse has an issue with snoring it can be frustrating for both of you. But the lack of deep sleep and insomnia can be bad for both of you in many ways. It can also be an indication of something more serious and can even lead to health complications that have grave consequences. If left untreated, sleep apnea can attribute to built up sleeplessness that causes strokes, heart disease, brain and other neurological complications, as well as daily effects of emotional turbulence. Some less serious side effects can include memory loss, irritability, depression, headaches and lack of concentration.
The good news is that sleep apnea – otherwise known as loud snoring – is treatable but first you must realize that you have it. If you don’t have a partner constantly waking you up to stop snoring, then how to stop snoring if you don’t realize you’re doing it poses a bit of a problem. Yet, very often people who have sleep apnea say that their snoring is sometimes so loud they may wake themselves up. The truth is that this is a very real sleep disorder and your body may be conscious of it because of the subsequent feeling of sleep deprivation. So, what can you do to finally get a night of healthy sleep?
Identifying how to stop snoring: Signs of Sleep Apnea
Instead of merely accepting this very common sleep disorder as something you have no control over, let’s take a look at some of the symptoms of sleep apnea to get to the root of why and how to stop snoring.
Symptoms of sleep apnea may include:
- Very loud snoring
- Gasping, snorting or choking while sleeping
- Being tired during the day even after a full night’s sleep
- Problems in breathing and shortness of breath
- Frequent headaches
- Sleeplessness or restfulness like tossing and turning
- Wakening often or general insomnia
- Frequent bathroom breaks throughout the night
- Having a dry or sore throat in the morning
- Lack of concentration, memory loss or forgetfulness
Some of the people most at risk for sleep apnea and other sleep disorders are smokers, often male or overweight, and people over the age of 60 are even more susceptible. Physical attributes that can put you at higher risk include: enlarged tonsils, adenoids, receding chin structure or thick neckline. Certain allergies and breathing conditions can also lead to nasal blockage that contributes to sleep apnea.
If you have identified and accepted that you do have this common sleep disorder – or if you live with someone who has it – it can be troubling for both of you. Again, sleep apnea is treatable so you can learn how to stop snoring and achieve natural sleep, healthy sleep and peace of mind for both partners.
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