When Snoring Is More Than What It Seems: Telltale Signs Of Adult Sleep Apnea

Around 9% of women and 25% of men in Australia have clinically significant OSA and that 4% of men and women have symptomatic OSA, according to SNORE Australia. This is one of the primary reasons for the current wide usage of Resmed masks and other medical devices for snoring and sleep apnea. Despite this, a large proportion of Australians with OSA remain undiagnosed and untreated.

Perhaps your spouse isn't waking you up in the middle of the night just to prank you (or because it's sexy time). The complaints about your snoring may be an indication of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and it could be affecting more than the quality of your sleep, but your health as well.

Sleeping for seven to nine hours every night has awesome benefits like reducing stress, bolstering the immune system, aiding critical thinking, and reducing risk of chronic diseases and other serious conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, according to the National Health Institute.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Individuals with OSA will have a hard time sleeping at night or even napping in any time of the day. Sleep Apnea is a common type of breathing issue that happens when your airway collapses during sleep, preventing enough air, and thus oxygen from reaching the lungs. This condition has been linked with an increased risk for Type 2 diabetes, heart attack, stroke, and even obesity.

Check these signs if you think you think there's more to you or your spouse's snoring problem:

• An intense need to drink water after you wake up. Snoring and sleep apnea causes severe dry mouth and a sore throat.
• A sensitive teeth or sore jaw. Grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw at night happens in an effort to force enough air through the airways.
• A pounding head in the morning. Sleeping poorly will leave you with a headache when you wake up. Sleep apnea also causes oxygen-deprivation in your brain, which gives you that head-splitting pain.
• Lots of bathroom or night-time breaks. Sleep interruption can also lead to more frequent urges to go to the bathroom.
• Feeling extra-tired during the day. If you feel like a zombie walking the streets or you often find yourself staring at random stuff because you're just so tired all the time, it may be because of poor sleep due to snoring and sleep apnea.
• Less focus and a grumpier mood. Even normal people get grumpier the less sleep they got. Poor sleep due to snoring and sleep apnea will cause you trouble in concentrating, soling issues, and being friendly or courteous towards others.

What should I do now?

If you have one or more of these symptoms, then do yourself and your loved one a favour by consulting with your doctor or a sleep specialist for a consultation.

As a first line of treatment, you'll be asked to change parts of your lifestyle or use sleep apnea devices like continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) coupled with Resmed masks. Also, make sure that you only get these medical devices from legitimate brands.

Don't take this lightly – early treatment of sleep apnea goes a long way in helping you overcome serious health issues that are sure to come in the future.

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