Are you worried that your loved one is suffering from sleep apnea? Loud and frequent snoring is a sign that sleep apnea may be present, but that’s not the only warning sign. Consider the following warning signs and what to do about it:
Difficulty Concentrating & Memory Loss
It may sound silly, but your brain needs sleep in order to function at its best! Without sleep, it can’t rejuvenate and refresh for the day ahead. This will cause difficulty concentrating and/or memory loss.
Irritability or Fatigue
When you don’t have a good night sleep, your emotional and mental wellbeing is compromised as well as your physical health. You may have a change in attitude or demeanor. Treating your sleep apnea can help your health-related quality of life.
Silent Pauses in Breathing & Gasping Sounds
Many sleep apnea sufferers experience silent pauses between breathing because the tissue in the back of their throat has blocked the airways. After several seconds (normally 10-20 seconds), your partner may hear you give choking or gasping sounds as your body finally catches its breath.
Unrefreshing Sleep
Even if you are getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night, you may wake up feeling tired, groggy, and unrefreshed. This is because your body was fighting throughout the entire night to get air that your body needs to rejuvenate all your organs, muscles, and joints.
What to do About Sleep Apnea
Implementing the use of a continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) machine is likely the first treatment option to try. If this doesn’t help, jaw surgery may be the answer if your sleep apnea is caused by a protruding or misaligned jaw. Dr. Tomlinson has performed many jaw surgeries, helping hundreds of people sleep and feel better!