Do you have issues getting a restful night’s sleep? Do you find yourself regularly waking up in the middle of the night feeling breathless? If so, it’s possible that you could have sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious condition that can drastically negatively impact your overall health if it is left untreated. However, because it occurs while sleeping, it can be challenging to know whether you display any sleep apnea symptoms – particularly if you live and sleep alone.
Below are some of the main symptoms of sleep apnea:
Snoring
It can be difficult to know if you snore if you live by yourself – although if you have a partner, you will likely have been informed by now! Most ENTs agree that snoring is one of the first signs that you may have sleep apnea. While occasional snoring is not unusual, excessive snoring could be a sign that you need to be assessed for this condition.
Waking up gasping for air
If you regularly find yourself waking up feeling breathless with a sensation of panic, you could have sleep apnea. It’s common for patients with the condition to experience pauses in breathing. When this happens, oxygen levels fall and the brain provides a signal to wake up and take a deep breath.
Feeling tired throughout the day
Sleep apnea prevents decent, restful sleep. Patients with sleep apnea might feel tired and irritable throughout the day, and may even find themselves falling asleep on public transport or in the workplace. If this sounds familiar, you should arrange for a checkup at ENT Sheffield.
Is sleep apnea harmful?
In addition to causing persistent tiredness which could put patients at risk while driving or operating machinery, sleep apnea can also lead to serious cardiovascular issues if left untreated. It is a serious condition, and if you suspect that you may have sleep apnea, it is advisable to arrange for a consultation as soon as possible.
Sleep apnea treatment and diagnosis
If you suspect that you may have sleep apnea, speak to the team at ENT Sheffield today about your concerns. From here, we can perform a diagnosis which usually involves a sleep study to find out how your sleep is interrupted throughout the night.
If you receive a positive diagnosis, there are several ways the condition can be treated, including:
- CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. This is a device worn at bedtime which applies slight pressure to the airway to ensure it remains open
- Somnoplasty (a surgical procedure to prevent snoring)
- Somnoguard (a mouthguard designed to keep the airway open)
- Devising a weight loss plan if you are overweight (obesity can interfere with breathing during sleep)
Find out more about sleep apnea
If you suffer from sleep apnea and you’re struggling to see a medical professional due to long wait times, why not book a consultation with a private ENT specialist like Mr. Wale Olarinde today? Scheduling an appointment is your first step towards tackling sleep apnea, improving your health and preventing the condition from having a serious impact on your wellbeing.