Do you ever feel like no matter how long you sleep, it’s not enough? Does your bed partner complain about your snoring? Are you dozing off in the afternoon or feel like you always need to take a nap? If so, you might be suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is a chronic condition that occurs when your muscles relax during sleep, allowing soft tissue to collapse and block the airway. This can cause you to stop breathing hundreds of times per night for anywhere from a few seconds to more than a minute at a time. These breathing pauses are followed by brief awakenings that disturb the quality of your sleep.

Who has Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

If you think you have sleep apnea, you’re not alone. At least 54 million adults in the United States suffer from sleep apnea. Although sleep apnea can occur at any age, the risk increases as you get older. Other factors that increase the risk of sleep apnea include having excess body weight, a narrow airway, a recessed chin or misaligned jaw.

How Do I Know if I Have Sleep Apnea?

Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include snoring or choking or gasping sounds. But you can also have sleep apnea, even if you don’t snore frequently or loudly. OSA can cause silent pauses in your breathing, so be on the lookout for these additional symptoms as well:

• Waking in the morning feeling unrefreshed
• Being tired during the day
• Morning headaches
• Waking up frequently at night to go to the bathroom
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering things

If you think you may have sleep apnea – don’t worry – we can help. Schedule a consultation to discuss sleep apnea by calling 209-847-8091 or request to be contacted via our website valleysleepandtmj.com