Have you ever wondered if you have sleep apnea? It’s a very common problem that affects approximately 22 million Americans. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who don’t even know they have the condition because many of the symptoms happen while they’re sleeping (or trying to sleep).
If you want to know once and for all whether sleep apnea is keeping you from getting the quality rest you need at night, here are five telltale signs to watch for. You may want to ask your partner if they have noticed these symptoms in you, as well.
Learning About What Causes Sleep Apnea
Before we dive into signs of sleep apnea, here’s what you should know about what causes the condition and how to choose the best CPAP machines for your needs. There are three different types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central and complex.
Obstructive is the most common type of sleep apnea, and it happens when the throat muscles relax and cut off the airways. Central sleep apnea occurs when the muscles that control your breathing don’t receive proper signals from the brain during sleep. Complex sleep apnea syndrome happens when someone has both obstructive and central sleep apnea.
If you have sleep apnea, the best full face CPAP masks may be able to alleviate your symptoms. These masks are designed to improve airflow during sleep so you get the oxygen your brain and body need to experience healthy sleep. Here are five telltale signs you have sleep apnea.
- You snore loudly at night (your partner should be able to tell you if you snore or not)
- You wake at night gasping for air
- You consistently have headaches and/or a dry mouth in the mornings
- You experience excessive daytime sleepiness, even when you think you’ve had enough sleep the night before
- You are unusually irritable for no obvious reason
These are all telltale signs that your sleep is being disrupted at night. Sleep apnea can not only cause these symptoms, but can also lead to an increased risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, liver problems, and other serious health issues.
Making Necessary Changes for My Health
Even if you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, the good news is that there are things you can do to combat it. Buying an Airfit N30i CPAP mask or other quality CPAP mask can go a long way toward improving your sleep quality. Additionally, you may want to do the following:
- Quit smoking
- Avoid sleeping pills, alcohol, and other substances that can further relax the muscles in the back of your throat
- Lose excess weight
- Sleep on your stomach or side instead of your back
- Exercise regularly
These lifestyle changes can not only help you sleep better, but also feel better overall. It’s also important to avoid eating a lot of sugary and processed foods, as these can lead to inflammation of the tissues in your body (including the tissues in your throat). Try making these changes today and see if your sleep quality and overall quality of life improve as a result.