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Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that affects 24 million Americans. It occurs when your throat muscles relax and block your airway, causing you to stop breathing. Sleep apnea affects both your quality of sleep and your health. Here are some of the symptoms of sleep apnea:

Feeling Tired or Fatigued

Sleep apnea causes severe exhaustion because the patient’s sleep is interrupted multiple times throughout the night. However, some people may not realize that they have sleep apnea. This is because many of the symptoms are caused by sleep deprivation. For example, daytime fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea, and it often goes unnoticed. After all, everyone feels tired some days! However, if sleepiness results in missing work or falling asleep at inappropriate times, it may be a sign of sleep apnea. If you feel that you are experiencing excessive tiredness during the day, see a specialist for an evaluation.

Loud Snoring

Frequent loud snoring is often the first symptom of sleep apnea. However, not all people who snore have sleep apnea, so it’s important to consult a dentist for an evaluation.

If you or your partner notices you frequently stop breathing while sleeping, this is a sign that it’s time to see a dentist. Your dentist may recommend a sleep study so you can finally find out what’s causing your sleep problems and get proper treatment.

Choking or Gasping For Air During Sleep

Snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea, but some people with the condition do not snore. Instead, they choke or gasp for air throughout the night. These choking sounds can occur several times throughout the night and interrupt the sleep of anyone sharing a bed with the individual with sleep apnea. This interrupted sleep can result in daytime sleepiness, excessive fatigue during the day, and other potential health risks.

Morning Headaches

Sleep apnea causes temporary pauses in breathing throughout the night, which can leave patients feeling exhausted in the morning. Along with morning fatigue, sleep apnea can cause other unpleasant symptoms, including headaches. In fact, some patients with sleep apnea wake up with a headache every morning.

Although this may seem normal for some and may be easily attributed to another cause, sleep apnea can actually cause headaches and other unwelcome symptoms. If left untreated, it can even lead to serious health issues such as stroke or heart disease. Sleep apnea is a treatable condition, so patients who are suffering from these symptoms are urged to seek treatment as soon as possible.

In addition to causing headaches, untreated sleep apnea can also lead to other health problems, such as anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and more. It can also cause excessive daytime sleepiness, insomnia, and loss of concentration. If you have obstructive sleep apnea, see your dentist to learn more about treatment options.

To find out more about the dental services offered at Harbor Dental, call our Fort Collins dentist CO at (970) 377-2456 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit us at 2726 Illinois Dr. #101, Fort Collins, CO 80525.