I Snore! Do I Have Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition that affects many people. If you have sleep apnea, it’s also a condition that can increase your risk for various problems like high blood pressure and diabetes. Sleep apnea can negatively impact your quality of life, so you should know when you have it. Your orthodontist in Irmo and Columbia, SC can help.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition that causes you to stop breathing for brief periods while you’re sleeping. Typically, this happens when the muscles in the back of the throat relax so much that they collapse and cover the airway. When this happens, the body briefly jerks itself awake. This is what causes the loud snoring that is often the hallmark of sleep apnea.

Do I Have Sleep Apnea If I Snore?

If you snore lightly at night, it’s probably normal. Snoring that results from sleep apnea is often so loud that it can keep your sleep partner awake.

Sleep apnea snoring is often accompanied by short periods without breathing and may be followed by gasping or the body jerking. If your snoring matches this description, you may have sleep apnea.

What Are the Warning Signs to Watch For?

In addition to loud snoring, you may notice a variety of signs that you have sleep apnea, including:

• Consistent daytime tiredness, even when you got a lot of sleep last night
• Difficulty focusing on tasks
• Mood swings
• Headaches in the morning
• Depression or anxiety
• Crankiness
• Wake up frequently in the night

What Should I Do If I Have Sleep Apnea?

If you have sleep apnea, seek treatment. While sleep apnea itself is unlikely to put you in danger, it can increase your risk for some serious conditions.

Additionally, sleep apnea can affect your relationship with your spouse and even other family members, if your snoring disrupts their sleep. The professionals at Tompkins Orthodontics, offer sleep apnea treatment in Irmo and Columbia, SC. There are many tools we can use to help open your airway and prevent it from closing while you sleep. Call today to make an appointment.