Answering the Question: How Do You Know if You Have Sleep Apnea?
According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, as many as 22 million Americans may have sleep apnea. The same organization estimates that about 80 percent of cases involving moderate or severe obstructive sleep apnea remain undiagnosed. How do you know if you have sleep apnea? Continue reading to learn more.
When sleep apnea isn’t treated, it can lead to dire consequences. High blood pressure, heart failure, stroke, diabetes and depression are just some of the possible consequences sleep apnea can cause. Sleep apnea can cause sleep deprivation as well, which can put you at greater risk of being involved in an accident.
People of all ages can suffer from sleep apnea. If you’re wondering, “How do you know if you have sleep apnea?” you should know that the condition’s symptoms vary by age group.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms in Adults
If you’re an adult and think you might have sleep apnea, there are some signs you should keep an eye out for. Here are some of them:
- You snore, and you do so loudly
- Your partner has commented on your snoring and observed that you sometimes stop breathing as you sleep
- You wake up suddenly and find you’re short of breath
- You have a tendency to wake up choking or gasping
- Your sleep is disturbed by regular trips to the restroom
- Your mouth is often dry or your throat is sore upon waking
- You typically have a headache when you wake up
- You struggle to remain asleep
- You suffer from excessive sleepiness during your awake time
- You get irritated easily and exhibit mood swings
- You’re overweight, you drink alcohol or you’re a smoker
- You suffer from sexual dysfunction or you’ve lost interest in sex
If you have any of the symptoms just mentioned and you’re an adult, it’s possible you have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a serious condition so you should talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
Symptoms in Children
As many as three percent of children may have sleep apnea. If you’re a parent and worry that your child may have the condition, be on the lookout for the following symptoms:
- Trouble with learning
- Short attention span
- Lackluster academic performance
- Snoring
- Mouth breathing when awake or while sleeping
- Stunted breathing during sleep
- Sleepiness during the day
- Wetting the bed
Symptoms in Toddlers
The symptoms of sleep apnea in toddlers differ from the signs adults and children normally exhibit. Here are some signs that indicate a toddler may have sleep apnea:
- Snoring
- Restlessness
- Coughing
- Profuse sweating
- Pauses in breathing when sleeping
- Crankiness
- Sleeping when it’s not appropriate
- Problems with tonsils and/or adenoids
- Growing and/or gaining weight at a rate that’s slower than average
Why You Should Act on Our Specials
Just like you should take immediate action if you notice that you or your partner, child or toddler is exhibiting any symptoms of sleep apnea, you should act on the specials offered by Ben’s. We change our specials often so it’s always wise to check them out whenever you’re shopping for bedroom sets, mattresses or mattress accessories at discounted prices.
Our specials make our already affordable products even more affordable. To save on the things you need for your home, shop with Ben’s online or by visiting one of our retail locations now. Try out online comfort test to find the perfect bed for you.