Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

What causes Sleep Apnea?

Narrowing airway passages can cause Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Muscles relax during sleep.

When the muscles used to breathe relax too much, the tongue is sucked against the back of the throat causing airflow to stop. The oxygen level in the brain becomes low enough to awaken the sleeper partially. The obstruction in the throat clears and the flow of air starts again (usually with a loud gasp). This is called apnea.

The most common cause of airway constriction during sleep apnea is the tongue. The tongue relaxes excessively during sleep and falls back into the airway with each breath.

Air travels faster through a slender tube, this rapidly moving air causes the soft tissue in the throat to vibrate, which produces the loud sound of snoring and compromises the ability to breath.

Some patients experience up to 300 apnea episodes each night. Severe cases may have up to 700 per night.

Symptoms and Effects of Sleep Apnea:

Symptoms include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following:

• Loud snoring
• Interrupted breathing while asleep
• Falling asleep when inactive and at inappropriate times
• Rhythmic limb or body movements when asleep
• Restlessness while sleeping
• Difficulty falling asleep
• Continual awakening during the night
• Sleep terrors or nightmares
• Irregular heartbeat during sleep
• Excessive perspiration during sleep
• Teeth grinding during sleep
• Awakening with a choking feeling or gasping for air
• Headache or confusion upon awakening
• Chronic fatigue or non-restful sleep
• High blood pressure and other cardiac problems
• Anxiety or irritability
• Depression, reduced sense of well-being
• Forgetfulness
• Difficulty learning or concentrating
• Lack of energy and motivation

Sleep is essential for our physical and mental well-being. It is a restorative process that enables a person to be healthy and productive.

Adults should have between 7 and 9 hours of sleep a night, yet millions suffer from sleep disorders that deprive them of this necessary rest. These disorders diminish quality of life and pose significant medical problems such as strain on the heart and lungs that can lead to high blood pressure, heart attack or stroke.