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Millions of individuals worldwide suffer from the prevalent and dangerous sleep disorder known as obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). This issue causes frequent breathing disruptions while you sleep, and if ignored, it can result in several health problems. This blog will cover eight symptoms of sleep apnea that you should be aware of and the significance of having surgery to treat sleep apnea, including the consideration of sleep apnea surgery costs in the UK.
Table of Contents
- 8 Sleep Apnoea Symptoms You Should Be Aware of
- Morning headache
- Gasping or choking
- Memory problems
- High blood pressure
- Daytime drowsiness
- Poor sleep cycle
- Breathing difficulties
- Loud snoring
- Why You Should Treat Sleep Apnea With Surgery?
- To increase energy and alertness
- To improve disruptive sleep patterns
- To prevent symptoms from getting worse
- To avoid other health issues
- To enhance mental clarity
- With ENT London, Regain Your Sleep and Comfort!
- FAQ’s
8 Sleep Apnoea Symptoms You Should Be Aware of
- Morning headache
A morning headache is one of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea. This happens due to your blood’s decreasing oxygen content during apnea episodes. Frequent disruptions to breathing during the night deprive your body and brain of oxygen, which causes headaches when you wake up. If you routinely wake up with morning headaches, you should consider the possibility of sleep apnea.
- Gasping or choking
People with sleep apnea often feel like choking or gasping in the middle of the night. These episodes happen as the body tries to resume normal breathing following an interruption in airflow. It’s a definite sign of disturbed sleep patterns and can be somewhat concerning. It’s critical to get an accurate diagnosis from a healthcare provider if you or your partner observe these events.
- Memory problems
Sleep is vital for memory consolidation and cognitive functioning. When you have sleep apnea, your sleep is often fragmented, preventing you from entering the deeper, more restorative phase of rest. This can lead to memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and reduced cognitive abilities. If you’re experiencing these issues, it’s crucial to investigate whether sleep apnea is the cause.
- High blood pressure
Sleep apnea is closely associated with hypertension, a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Repeatedly interrupting your sleep due to rest periods triggers your body’s stress response, which raises blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure and suspect sleep apnea, addressing sleep apnea can be an essential part of your overall health strategy.
- Daytime drowsiness
A primary sign of sleep apnea in children is excessive daytime sleepiness. You may not be getting the restorative sleep your body requires because of the frequent disruptions to your sleep cycle. This may cause you to feel too exhausted during the day, making it difficult to remain focused and productive. It is imperative to investigate the potential cause of your daytime fatigue if you are experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea.
- Poor sleep cycle
Individuals who suffer from sleep apnea have disturbed and fragmented sleep patterns. These disruptions can make it harder to get to sleep and stay asleep. You can experience numerous nighttime awakenings, gasping for oxygen, or choking. Your sleep quality is severely reduced, negatively affecting your general well-being.
- Breathing difficulties
Breathing difficulty is the main symptom of sleep apnea. The throat muscles relax during an apnea episode, obstructing your airway and causing you to cease breathing briefly. Even if the person experiencing it doesn’t feel it, this can seriously interfere with sleep and general health.
- Loud snoring
Another symptom that’s frequently linked to sleep apnea is loud, continuous snoring. The vibrating of the throat tissues during breathing is caused by a blockage in the airway. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, but it’s still important to take this frequent symptom seriously, particularly if it’s coupled with other symptoms like those listed above.
Why You Should Treat Sleep Apnea With Surgery?
Taking care of your sleep apnea is essential to preserving your health and well-being. Surgery can be beneficial in some circumstances, even though there are other possibilities, such as lifestyle modifications, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy, and oral appliances. The following are strong arguments in favour of sleep apnea treatment with surgery:
- To increase energy and alertness: An immediate advantage of surgically correcting sleep apnea is increased energy and attention. You’ll wake up feeling more rejuvenated and prepared to take on the day when you get better quality sleep and breathe more accessible at night.
- To improve disruptive sleep patterns: Surgery can help correct physiological issues that cause sleep apnea, allowing for a more restful, uninterrupted sleep. You can achieve more consistent and deep sleep by removing obstructions from the airways.
- To prevent symptoms from worsening: Sleep apnea can worsen over time if left untreated. Early repair, especially surgically, can prevent the condition from progressing, leading to more severe health issues.
- To avoid other health issues: Numerous health issues, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and more, are linked to sleep apnea. Surgery is one way to address it and lower your chance of these dangerous health consequences.
- To enhance mental clarity: Getting better sleep through surgery can profoundly affect your mental health. You will experience increased mental clarity, better concentration, and improved memory, leading to a better quality of life.
With ENT London, Regain Your Sleep and Comfort!
ENT London is one of the leading providers specialising in diagnosing and treating sleep apnea. Our team of skilled medical specialists is committed to assisting people in overcoming the difficulties associated with sleep apnea and obtaining uninterrupted, restful sleep.
Don’t hesitate; start today with the first step towards improved health and sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, snoring is common but not always indicative of sleep apnea. It may be a sign when combined with other symptoms like daytime drowsiness and gasping.