Sleep Apnea, a disorder
that leads a person to stop breathing for a certain period of time
while they sleep, can be a mild or serious problem for the sufferer.
It can be mild, moderate or serious depending on how frequently
the person stops breathing per hour and their sleep apnea symptoms.
There are three types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central and mixed.
Obstructive occurs when someone has blocked airflow due to narrowed
airways; central happens when the breathing muscles don’t
receive the right brain signals; mixed is a combination of obstructive
and central.
Those who suffer from sleep apnea tend to have sleep apnea symptoms
like restless sleep, loud snoring and headaches. The most common
sleep apnea symptoms for obstructive sleep apnea are:
Constantly falling asleep during the day.
This can occur even when a person is driving, talking, eating,
etc.
Waking up tired and feeling restless. Lack
of memory, irritability, loss of concentration and just overall
sleepiness can also be sleep apnea symptoms.
Headaches in the morning
Sweating and chest pain during sleep
Heartburn at night
A spouse or partner will likely notice different
sleep apnea symptoms than those suffering from sleep apnea. They
will likely witness the instances when someone with sleep apnea
stops breathing which can occur five times an hour for mild cases
and up to 50 times per hour for serious cases. Other sleep apnea
symptoms others will notice are loud snoring, restless tossing and
turning during sleep, and gasping episodes.
Children can also suffer from this disorder. Kids who are younger
than five will experience the following sleep apnea symptoms: snoring
loudly, mouth breathing, waking up frequently and sweating. Those
who are older will exhibit the following sleep apnea symptoms: a
stunt in their growth, snoring, wetting their bed and doing poorly
in school.
If you or someone you love exhibits sleep apnea symptoms, consult
a physician. Sleep apnea symptoms can subside with a change in sleeping
patterns, like not sleeping on your back. Devices to improve breathing
can help, as can surgery.
