Though millions of Americans are victims of sleep apnea, it still remains one of the most undiagnosed and untreated sleep disorder, known not only for its distressful symptoms in the short run but also for the life-threatening consequences it entails.
The reason why it is difficult to diagnose is because majority of the symptoms appear when the individual is asleep. In fact, it is often the bed or room partner who first notices the continued disruption in sleep that the victim is going through and takes him or her for medical treatment.
Be that as it may, there are some symptoms which eventually come to the notice of the victim. But before you know more about the symptoms which seem to dodge even the most alert patients, you might benefit by learning about some of the typical factors that put you on the high-risk category for developing this kind of illness. You could call these factors sleep apnea causes as well:
• More than 50% people diagnosed with this disease are obese. Obesity is one of the leading sleep apnea causes.
• At least 1 in 10 people over 65 years old would have this disease; it is more common in men than women.
• Habit of consuming excessive amounts of alcohol puts you at increased risk.
• Hereditary factors.
• More than half of those who have sleep apnea also have high blood pressure. It is closely linked with smoking, metabolic disorders, diabetes shares common risk factors for stroke and heart failure.
• Small airways in the nose, throat and mouth are leading sleep apnea causes.
Sleep apnea symptoms: what your bed partner may notice
• Snoring that is loud and chronic
• Intermittent pauses in the snoring.
• Restless during sleep with frequent tossing and turning in bed.
There are several symptoms that are noticed by the victim as well. Rapid and unexplained weight gain, sore throat and dry mouth on waking up, headaches in the morning, drowsiness, irritability and mood disorders like depression, problems with focusing, tendency to take short and frequent naps and forgetfulness are some of these symptoms.
Also, the victim feels excessive tiredness during the day. This is an extremely important differentiator in the sense that this symptom clearly points towards sleep apnea as any other ordinary snoring would normally not interfere with daytime alertness. Daytime fatigue caused by this disease is a very clear indicator of the onset of the condition.
Needless to mention, considering the seriousness of the ailment, one should not ignore even the smallest signs that point towards this disease. Visit a sleep doctor straightaway and ask for a sleep apnea test.
Perhaps the most important aspect to keep a watch on is the daytime tiredness. It is worthwhile to remember that not everyone who snores has this kind of disease. If you feel that excessive daytime tiredness is overwhelming as well as disabling, it is time to talk to a doctor. The more proactive you are in diagnosing the condition, the better chances you have to arrest the growth of the condition and get cured.
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