Sleep Apnea is a condition in which breathing stops periodically during sleep, as many as 20-30 times per hour. (“Apnea” is the Greek word for “without breath.”)
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.
What are the signs of sleep apnea?
The following symptoms can indicate the presence of sleep apnea.
-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
If you notice one or more of these, give Banasiak & Nettune Orthodontic Associates a call, and we can refer you to a sleep apnea specialist.
Basking Ridge
