Do I Have Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing is regularly interrupted while you sleep because throat tissue has collapsed and blocked the airway. This condition can cause serious problems to develop such as stroke, depression, diabetes, and liver problems. Your dentist can help you treat sleep apnea, but how can you tell if you have it in the first place?

Symptoms Of Sleep Apnea

If you show some of the following symptoms, you may have sleep apnea.

• Loud snoring
• Feeling tired even though you have slept all night
• Waking abruptly and having a shortness of breath
• Your partner notices that you stop breathing while you sleep
• Waking with a sore throat, dry mouth, or headache
• Difficulty concentrating
• Night sweats
• Forgetfulness

Risk Factors Of Sleep Apnea

Having one or more of the following risk factors may also be a sign that you have sleep apnea.

• Over 40 years old
• Male (because sleep apnea is twice as likely to occur in men)
• Overweight
• Drink alcohol or use sleep medication (these relax the muscles)
• Family history of this condition
• Narrow airway, small jaw, or large tongue or tonsils
• Smoking (makes you three times more likely to develop sleep apnea)