Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Its Symptoms

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of the disorder, and is currently suffered by approximately twenty-five million adults in the U.S. today. It occurs during sleep, caused by the muscles in the throat blocking the airways, making it hard for the sleeper to breathe properly. This forces the body to some weird things in order to get air to the brain, which disrupts the sleep.

You may have obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, if you experience the following symptoms:

•    Heavy snoring
•    Pausing of breath while sleeping
•    Gasping for air periodically during the night
•    Tiredness, moodiness, or recklessness during the day
•    Irritability and/or depression
•    Difficulty concentrating
•    Dry mouth and/or sore throat when waking
•    Headaches in the morning
•    Suspicious changes in mood

If you are experiencing more than one of these symptoms, it is important you see an expert in sleep apnea in Thousand Oaks right away for an exam. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease and weight gain.

Common treatments for OSA include lifestyle changes, CPAP machines, and in some cases, surgery. Correcting the issues caused by the disorder can award patients with longer, more effective sleep.