Snoring is often considered to be a widespread, especially as people age. Probably everyone has had a parent or spouse that snores. But snoring actually indicates that sleep apnea is hindering the person from getting enough air, which causes the brain to have repeated moments of suffocation. Snoring is more than just an annoyance. It can produce many potential health risks associated with not breathing properly during sleep and failing to get adequate rest.

Since people are sleeping while snoring, it may go unnoticed and undetected for many years. People often think that nightly snoring is normal since they have always snored. A sleeping partner may mention it or move into another room in order to get some much needed sleep without the interruption of the snorer. For both, the need for consistently good sleep is vital. The brain cannot recover from lack of oxygen and inadequate rest as well as it could at a younger age, which is why the ill effects of sleep apnea may be more apparent as we get older.

Some common indications that you may have sleep apnea include:

  • Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
  • Loud snoring at night
  • Waking up at night short of breath
  • Snorting or choking sounds during night (indicating stopped breathing)

If you are unsure if you snore, there are other symptoms of sleep apnea that may be more apparent to you, especially during waking hours. These include:

  • Headaches upon waking
  • Falling asleep unintentionally during the day
  • Extreme drowsiness throughout the day
  • Memory loss
  • Grinding teeth at night

Untreated sleep apnea can be dangerous to your health and put you at risk for a number of health issues. If you are experiencing one or more of these, contact us for an appointment with a sleep apnea specialist to learn more about treatment options.