Three Signs You Might Have Sleep Apnea

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Snoring is the most famous symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, but it’s far from the only one. Whether you have a partner who complains of loud, persistent snoring, or you wake up tired every morning, even though you’ve been in bed for at least eight hours, additional symptoms can make a diagnosis even easier to reach. In fact, your Grovetown, GA dentist at Patriots Park Dental may notice some additional signs during your dental checkup! For example:

1. Your Partner Notices Choking or Gasping Sounds

These sounds go beyond just snoring. Sleep apnea can actually shut off your airway for short, yet alarming periods of time. Your brain wakes you up just enough to make you move to breathe again, at which point you may gasp or make a choking sound when the air starts to move again. As a side symptom, you may be a very restless sleeper because you move around all the time to get air!

2. Headaches in the Morning

Sleep apnea prevents your body and mind from reaching the necessary deep sleep state it needs for proper rest and rejuvenation. It’s always just trying to make sure you’re getting enough air. Morning headaches are a sign that you just haven’t had enough real sleep, no matter how many hours you spend in bed.

3. Morning Dry Mouth

Many people with sleep apnea end up sleeping with their mouths open in an attempt to get more air, so they wake up in the morning with a dry mouth.

Other Common Risk Factors For Sleep Apnea

People who have diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and/or asthma and allergies run a higher risk of developing sleep apnea, as do men. Women’s sleep apnea risk does increase with age, however. Our dentist in Grovetown, GA may also notice that you have some anatomical features in your mouth and neck that can complicate overnight breathing:

  • An unusually large tongue
  • A neck with a wide circumference
  • Teeth crowding
  • A narrow palate
  • Large tonsils

Contact the Dentist Grovetown, GA Neighbors Trust for Sleep Apnea Treatment

Don’t ignore symptoms like loud snoring, gasping, morning headaches, chronic exhaustion, and restless sleep. Sleep apnea can increase your risk for other serious diseases and decrease your quality of life. Our Grovetown dentist can provide you with a sleep apnea mouthguard that improves overnight breathing significantly. Schedule an appointment for help at Patriots Park Dental and get the sleep you need to live well!