Snoring, Daytime Fatigue or Brain Fog? It Could Be Sleep Apnea
Loud snoring, waking up tired and struggling to stay alert during the day can be signs of a sleep-related breathing disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Many people who have it don't know it.
Only a physician can diagnose sleep apnea. Dr. Thomas Harter works alongside your physician and provides custom oral appliances and Solea Sleep laser treatment for snoring at our Ocala office.
What Research Links to Snoring and Sleep Apnea
Heart and blood pressure
Untreated sleep apnea has been linked to high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.
Blood sugar
Sleep apnea is associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.
Memory and focus
Poor-quality sleep can affect concentration and memory, and untreated sleep apnea has been linked to cognitive decline.
Mood
Sleep apnea is associated with depression and anxiety.
Weight
Sleep apnea and weight gain can feed each other, each making the other harder to manage.
Trouble sleeping
Some people with sleep apnea report insomnia or restless sleep rather than snoring.
Snoring by itself doesn't always mean sleep apnea, and some people with sleep apnea don't snore loudly. That's why testing matters.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
During sleep, the muscles and soft tissues in your throat relax. With obstructive sleep apnea, they relax enough to narrow or block your airway, so your breathing repeatedly slows or stops. Each pause disrupts your sleep, often without you realizing it, which is why you can sleep all night and still wake up exhausted.
5 Signs That Are Easy to Overlook
Loud or irregular snoring
Snoring with gasping, choking or pauses in breathing that a bed partner notices.
Daytime sleepiness and brain fog
Feeling drowsy during meetings or while driving, or having trouble focusing.
Dry mouth or sore throat on waking
Often a sign of breathing through your mouth at night.
Morning headaches
Waking up with a headache can be related to disrupted breathing during sleep.
High blood pressure
Blood pressure that's hard to control can be connected to sleep apnea. Talk with your physician.
Snoring or restless sleep in children is worth discussing with your child's pediatrician.
What If I Don't Snore?
You can still have sleep apnea. Women and children in particular may have it without loud snoring. Ongoing daytime fatigue, morning headaches or trouble concentrating are worth mentioning to your physician.
How Sleep Apnea Is Diagnosed
Sleep apnea is diagnosed with a sleep study ordered by a physician. There are two common types:
- In-lab sleep study (polysomnogram): an overnight study at a sleep center
- Home sleep test: a simpler test you take in your own bed
Your physician or sleep specialist will decide which test is right for you.
How Harter Dental Can Help
- Custom oral appliances for snoring: a device you wear while you sleep, made to fit your mouth, that gently positions your lower jaw to help keep your airway more open.
- Oral appliances for obstructive sleep apnea when you can't tolerate CPAP: an oral appliance may be an option for appropriate patients. We need a diagnosis and a prescription from your physician before we can make your appliance.
- Solea Sleep for snoring: a quick, gentle in-office laser treatment with no cutting or needles.
Not every patient is a candidate, and we'll work with your other healthcare providers. Please don't stop using CPAP without guidance from your treating physician. Learn more about sleep and airway care.
Ready to Sleep Better?
Talk with our team about snoring or CPAP intolerance at our Ocala office, 2609 SW 33rd St Suite 104. Hablamos Español.