Sleep Apnea: Are You At Risk?
Do you have family members that are constantly complaining about your snoring? If the answer is yes, then you might be suffering from a very common condition known as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea occurs when the upper airway becomes blocked during sleep, reducing or stopping your breathing throughout the night. Basically, this means that, during the time you are sleeping, you have short periods where you stop breathing. Your sleep becomes affected by this because your brain becomes alerted and wakes you up briefly over and over. Many people who are affected are unaware that they are waking during the night.
Signs that Indicate Sleep Apnea
The wonderful thing about the human body is it sends signals to alert us that something is wrong. If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, we highly recommend that you reach out to our office:
- Tired when you wake in the morning
- Constant sleepiness during the day
- Unexplained headaches when you wake
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loud snoring
- Waking up short of breath at night
Risk Factors
Not everyone is prone to sleep apnea. Certain lifestyles, body types, and family history leave you more susceptible to this condition. The situation that we are living in with the pandemic doesn’t help matters when it comes to sleep apnea. With everyone home for months, gyms closed for a period of time, and all of the lifestyle changes that we have experienced in a short time, weight gain is on the rise for many. Excess weight is one of the largest risk factors pertaining to sleep apnea. Other risk factors include:
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
- Nasal congestion
- Medical conditions
If you feel that you or a loved one might be suffering from sleep apnea, please reach out to our office located in Denton, MD to schedule an appointment. We can help get your sleep back on track.
