What are the symptoms of Sleep Apnea? Do I have it?

Sleep Apnea Symptoms include:

1. Feeling very sleepy during the day, even falling asleep 2. Snoring 3. Gasping or choking during the night 4. Waking up with a sore or dry throat 5. Poor memory and concentration 6. Headaches (particularly in the morning) 7. Irritability and a short temper 8. Anxiety 9. Depression 10. Impaired Alertness 11. Reduced ability to handle stress 12. Frequent toilet visits during the night 13. High Blood Pressure 14. Lack of interest in sex 15. In men, impotence (inability to get or maintain an erection)

Find out within a fortnight whether you do have OSA or not

Even if you are not sure, it is worth considering taking a Sleep Study so that you know for definite one way or another. There are many different symptoms of Sleep Apnea so taking a Sleep Study is the only way to conclusively rule it out. If your result comes back positive then you could start receiving treatment within a few days, if negative you can rule out OSA in yours efforts to get to the root of your problems. A negative outcome can often be as useful as a positive one with regards to finding a solution to your issue.

Now that you are aware of the Sleep Apnea symptoms, you may want to know....

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is when you airways close up during your sleep. This causes you to stop breathing, making your brain wake up and open your airways up again before falling asleep instantly. These micro-arousals, caused by the apneas, often go completely unnoticed by the user despite occurring up to 400 times a night, although partners or room-mates are more likely to notice the splutter or loud snoring noise associated with them. It is the symptoms of Sleep Apnea, more than the events themselves, that provide the clues about your condition.

The result of Sleep Apnea is that sleep is fractured and unreplenishing, often leaving the sufferer waking up still tired despite having seemingly slept normally for eight hours or even longer. This, along with the other Sleep Apnea symptoms that are mentioned above, are the most common way of noticing you have OSA, as the actual apneas themselves are rarely noticed. On average, people have OSA for seven years before being diagnosed.

Successful treatment of your OSA allows you to sleep soundly, and feel reinvigorated after sleeping. You'll have energy and drive that you may have been missing for months or years, improved concentration, an improved social, personal and professional life. You will no longer have to deal with the negative symptoms of Sleep Apnea. OSA can also lead to further health problems such as strokes or heart failure, so if you think you may have OSA it is imperative that you get it confirmed as soon as possible. The first step is choosing a Sleep Study which, at £99, could be the start of getting your life back. If you are showing any symptoms of sleep apnea, can you afford to ignore them?

What are contributing factors of Sleep Apnea?

1. Increasing age
2. Being overweight *
3. Being male
4. Small lower jaw
5. Large collar size *
6. Existing diabetic *
7. Smoking
8. Alcohol
9. Use of sedatives
10. * - major contributors

Want more information about your Sleep Apnea symptoms?

If you would like any further information about Obstructive Sleep Apnea, its symptoms, or Sleep Studies, simply visit our Sleep Study home page, or contact us directly for further advice and information.