Northfield and Hudson orthodontist Dr. John C. White knows that sleep disorders are fairly common, with approximately 50 to 70 million Americans being affected by some type chronic sleep disorder. Some of these progress to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), which can cause loss of sleep among many other health problems. Snoring is one of the most easily identified symptoms of sleep apnea, and as the condition worsens it can lead to airway blockage, which can severely disrupt your sleep patterns.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, each time your breathing stops, the resulting lack of oxygen alerts your brain, which temporarily wakes you up to restart proper breathing. Because the time spent awake is so brief, most people with sleep apnea don't remember it - and many think they are getting a good night's sleep. However, the constant wake-sleep-wake-sleep cycle precludes the deep sleep that refreshes the body, and sufferers are frequently drowsy during the day.
The following symptoms can indicate the presence of sleep apnea. If you notice one or more of these, please give us a call, and we can refer you to a sleep apnea specialist.
* Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
* Loud snoring at night
* Waking up at night short of breath
* Snorting or choking sounds during the night (indicating a restart of breathing)
* Headaches upon waking in the morning
* Falling asleep unintentionally during the day
* Extreme drowsiness throughout the day
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