Common Sleep Apnea Warning Signs and Risk Factors

Sleep apnea is the second most common sleep disorder following insomnia. Patients who suffer from sleep apnea experience regular cessation of breathing for ten or more seconds at a time. While this may seem like nothing more than a bad habit, sleep apnea can actually lead to a number of serious health concerns including elevated blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Review the following warning signs and risk factors for sleep apnea. If you think you may be suffering from sleep apnea, you can work with a sleep doctor or a dentist trained in dental sleep medicine. These professionals can help you receive an accurate sleep apnea diagnosis and assist in treatment planning.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Many of the symptoms of sleep apnea seem unrelated, and it can be difficult to receive an accurate diagnosis. If you notice any combination of the following warning signs of sleep apnea, seek help from a sleep doctor or dentist:

• Loud Chronic Snoring that wakens you or a bed partner
• Excessive Daytime Tiredness
• Difficulty concentrating on tasks or remembering things
• Mood swings or changes in behavior
• Elevated Blood Pressure

Risk Factors Associated with Sleep Apnea

In addition to being aware of the warning signs of sleep apnea, it’s important to consider some of the factors that increase your risk of suffering from this disorder. Some factors that increase risk for sleep apnea include:

• BMI greater than 35 kg/m2
• People over the age of 50
• Neck circumference measuring more than 16 inches
• Men are at a higher risk
• Using alcohol or tranquilizers regularly
• Smoking
• Narrow airway
• Genetic predisposition

Why Sleep Apnea Therapy is Necessary

Many patients live with snoring and warning signs of sleep apnea for years without seeking treatment, but this can be extremely detrimental to every aspect of your day to day life. Sleep deprivation is extremely detrimental to health. From inability to concentrate to memory loss, sleep deprived people struggle to maintain their regular routines. Additionally, elevated blood pressure associated with sleep apnea can lead to cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Meet Dr. Romack

As a trusted sleep dentist, Deborah A. Romack, DDS and her caring team at Weatherford Dental Sleep Medicine provide comfortable, effective oral appliance and combined CPAP therapy for sleep apnea sufferers. Read our blog regularly to learn more about sleep apnea. Please don’t hesitate to contact our caring Weatherford sleep dentist and team to find out more or schedule a consultation.