Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition where one’s breathing is frequently interrupted while sleeping. These interruptions, which often last from 10 to 20 seconds, can occur anywhere from 5 to over 100 times in an hour.
When sleep apnea events occur, the reduced oxygen levels briefly wake you up, usually so momentarily that you’re unaware of it. These frequent awakenings, however, result in more time spent in light sleep and less in the deep, rejuvenating sleep that is necessary for alertness, cognitive sharpness, and day-to-day productivity.
Sleep apnea can lead to numerous health complications, some of which can be life-threatening. Thus, it’s essential to address this condition rather earlier than later.
Main signs of sleep apnea
- Frequent, loud snoring
- Choking, snorting, or gasping during sleep
- Daytime sleepiness and fatigue, no matter how much time you spend in bed
Other symptoms
- Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Morning headache
- Restless sleep, nighttime awakenings, or insomnia
- Waking up at night feeling short of breath
- Going to the bathroom frequently during the night
Snoring vs Sleep Apnea
Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, and not everyone who has sleep apnea snores. So how do you tell the difference between normal snoring and a more serious case of sleep apnea?
Keep in mind that even if you don’t have sleep apnea, a snoring problem can get in the way of your bed partner’s rest and affect your own sleep quality.
The way you sound when you are snoring provides some clues. If you’re gasping, choking, or making other unusual sounds, you should suspect sleep apnea. However, to distinguish among the two it is the best to have a sleep test done.