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Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep. Pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes. They may occur 30 times or more an hour. Typically, normal breathing then starts again, sometimes with a loud snort or choking sound.
As a result, the quality of your sleep is poor, which makes you tired during the day. If left untreated, sleep apnea can result in a growing number of health problems, including: High blood pressure, stroke, irregular heartbeat, and even heart attacks.
You should seek the advice of a medical professional if you or your partner notices the following:
Loud snoring, which is usually more prominent in obstructive sleep apnea
Episodes of breathing interruption during sleep
Abrupt awakenings accompanied by shortness of breath
Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia)
Attention problems
Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat
Difficulty staying asleep
Irritability
There is hope:
Your doctor may make an evaluation based on your signs and symptoms or may refer you to a sleep disorder center. There, a sleep specialist can help you decide on your need for further evaluation.
Such an evaluation often involves overnight monitoring of your breathing and other body functions during sleep.
