Did you know that sleep apnea affects over 18 million adults in the United States? The most common form of sleep apnea is known as obstructive sleep apnea, and this is a condition that can be very dangerous if left unidentified or untreated.
Dealing with sleep apnea symptoms can be difficult. It’s important to know which symptoms to look out for the most, as some parts of sleep apnea can impact your daily life. In order to prevent being obstructed from life’s daily routines, Sleep MD can equip you with the knowledge of understanding your symptoms before seeing our sleep apnea specialist in New York, Dr. Shukla.
Biggest Signs and Symptoms
The longer your sleep apnea goes untreated, the more severe these following symptoms can get. It’s important to note if you have experienced one or more of these symptoms, or if your partner has noticed you displaying them.
Some of the signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include:
- Sweating at night
- Sleepiness during the day
- High blood pressure
- Headaches in the morning
- Difficulty concentrating during the day
- Episodes of breath cessation during the sleep cycle
- Consistent shortness or loss of breath
- Big mood changes, such as irritability or depression
- Dry mouth in the mornings
- Waking up choking
- Decreased sex drive
- Loud snoring
Any of these symptoms should be a sign that it’s time to see a sleep apnea specialist in New York. But how do you know when these symptoms are just mild symptoms, or when they are too destructive to ignore?
In most cases, with the presence of these symptoms, you’ll want to get in touch with Dr. Shukla right away.
Knowing When to Consult a Professional
Getting help is the next step in the treatment process. You’ll want to get in touch with a professional if you are displaying the symptoms on a consistent or severe basis. For example, loud and elongated snoring is usually a cause for concern. It’s more than just an annoying sound to deal with; it can be indicative of a concern.
It might also be a good time to see your sleep apnea specialist in New York if you or your partner notices intermittent pauses or gasping during sleep. This is one of the most telling signs of sleep apnea that can cause daily devastation and can even be fatal if left untreated for a long period of time.
What Causes Sleep Apnea Symptoms?
Sleep apnea is typically caused by an abnormal relaxation of the muscles in the throat, which can cause the breathing to be obstructed or disturbed. When these muscles are relaxed, the body cannot control the influx of oxygen and other elements that may be filtering in and out of the body. This abnormal intake of oxygen causes imbalances in other parts of the body as well, such as the brain, which will cause fogginess or a lack of energy the following day.
If you have a restless sleep or if you are noticing one or more of these symptoms, it’s better to seek treatment sooner rather than later. Visit us at Sleep MD for your next steps.
Sleep Apnea Specialist in New York
Dr. Shukla can provide a detailed treatment plan to get your obstructive sleep apnea symptoms under control. This will empower you to take back your life, resuming your daily activities and regulating your sleep in a much healthier way. For more information, you can contact us online or give us a call at (212) 661-7077.