Snoring Could Be Sounding an Alarm

If you snore at night, you may be doing more than keeping your partner awake. You may be at risk for sleep apnea, a dangerous but treatable condition in which you may stop breathing for periods of time during sleep.

Although snoring is the most common symptom of sleep apnea, not all those who snore have the disorder. Others signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Daytime sleepiness
• Morning headaches
• Lack of daytime concentration
• Irritability, depression and mood swings
• Dry mouth or sore throat

Left untreated, sleep apnea can be dangerous. Pauses in breathing, and even periods of shallow breathing caused by sleep apnea mean a decrease in levels of oxygen to your brain and other organs. Sleep apnea also puts you at greater risk for:

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats)
• High blood pressure
• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Stroke

If you suspect you have sleep apnea, see your health care provider. He or she may recommend a sleep study to determine if you have sleep apnea and measure the severity.  If you don't have a health care provider, let us help you find one.

Although sleep apnea is a chronic condition, it can be treated successfully through lifestyle changes, surgery and/or breathing devices.

In no time at all, you’ll be sleeping soundly and soundlessly again!