Secret Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea's less well-known signs and symptoms
Do you have any doubts about whether your insomnia is a passing phase or a sign of anything more serious? Here are some further indicators that your issue might be sleep apnea:
- At least twice a night, you wake up to urinate. Doctors are now recognizing this as a possible symptom of sleep apnea.
- You have abrupt mood swings, followed by more significant issues. For example, anyone who doesn't get enough sleep can get cranky, but sleep apnea can cause chronic sleep deprivation, resulting in severe mood disorders, including anxiety and depression.
- You lack sex drive. Because sex hormones are at their highest during sleep, obstructed sleep apnea can impact men's and women's sexual lives.
- Acid reflux is when the stomach's acids reflux into the oesophagus and irritate it. There appears to be a link between sleep apnea and acid reflux, though researchers are unsure which arises first. About half of those with sleep apnea are also thought to have acid reflux, and treating sleep apnea appears to also help with acid reflux.
Do you smoke, and is that why you can't sleep?
You're probably sick of dealing with everyone's nagging, from your mother to your boss, to give up smoking. But the number of excuses to give up keeps getting longer. In addition, if you've been experiencing trouble sleeping, you should be aware that smoking may also be to blame.
What impact does smoking have on sleep?
Since nicotine is recognized for promoting relaxation and lowering anxiety, you might believe smoking would help you fall asleep (which is probably why you smoke in the first place). However, nicotine acts as a stimulant and might interfere with sleep. It may make it difficult to fall asleep, keep you from sleeping deeply, and make it simpler for you to wake up at night. You might even wake up in the middle of the night with cigarette urges.
Because of these factors, cigarette smokers are more prone to experience daylong fatigue, mood fluctuations, and attention problems, which can soon start to influence both time spent working and time spent attempting to unwind.
Smoking can make you more likely to snore and experience sleep apnea, a condition in which you repeatedly stop breathing for a brief period during the night. This is a result of the chemicals in cigarettes, which not only harm your lungs by lowering your body's oxygen levels but can also enlarge the soft tissues of your nose and throat, making it challenging to breathe normally while you sleep. Even individuals nearby are more likely to experience sleep issues if they breathe in secondhand smoke; kids are especially prone to respiratory problems.
Smoking has several adverse effects on your health, but if you're trying to determine whether to stop, insomnia can be the tipping point. Although studies show that once you stop smoking for good, your sleep quality will gradually improve, you may experience even more difficulty sleeping when you attempt to stop.
Here at River District Smiles Dentistry, we treat sleep apnea as something that we can help you with. Our team of knowledgeable and experienced dentists will work with you to diagnose your sleep apnea and find the best treatment for you. We understand how important a good night's sleep is, so please don't hesitate to contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Resources:
https://www.trepup.com/River-District-Smiles-974497179529105
http://tupalo.com/en/rock-hill-south-carolina-united-states/river-district-smiles