Do You Have Sleep Apnea?
By Sara Butler
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that impacts the lives of millions of Americans – but how do you know you have it? The National Institutes of Health report that it’s an underdiagnosed condition with very serious health consequences such as high blood pressure and heart disease. But if you’re asleep when it’s happening, what should you be looking for to know if you have it or not?
What is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea occurs when you stop breathing during the night while asleep – even if for just a moment. In that moment, your body goes into survival mode, stimulated your adrenal glands to release adrenaline, which causes blood pressure to spike and the heart to work overtime. If this happens regularly during the night, then you’re at an increased risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease. So, it’s pretty important to know if you have it so that it can be treated.
Listen to Your Sleep Partner
No one knows more about how your sleep than the person you may share a bed with. That’s why it’s important to listen to your partner if they say you gasp or snore at night. If your throat or any structure in it relaxes too much and blocks your airway, then you choke or gasp at night when asleep. Physical symptoms of sleep apnea aren’t always apparent, so if someone tells you that you do this, then you need to get it checked out.
You’re Tired – All the Time
During deep sleep, your body relaxes in order to rest and rejuvenate. The problem with sleep apnea is that it doesn’t allow your body to go into deep sleep enough during the night, resulting in your body never getting adequate rest and you waking up in the morning exhausted.
If you wake up in the morning groggy and tired, feeling as if you’ve not slept at all, with increased hunger, irritability, and difficulty concentrating, then you need to make sure you’re not suffering from sleep apnea.
You Wake Up to Use the Bathroom
This could be a sign that you’re simply drinking too much before bed or it could be a sign of sleep apnea When your body is constantly working to help you breathe, then it releases a hormone that can increase urination. If this sounds familiar, talk to your doctor.
You need to take this condition seriously! If you have the symptoms, get checked out!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Sterling, Va.