If you snore, you might have a common sleeping disorder called sleep apnea, also known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
If you have OSA, it means your upper airway temporarily closes while you sleep, causing you to stop breathing. These periods when your breathing stops (called apnea) last for at least ten seconds and may happen up to several hundred times a night.
This puts a strain on your body, raising blood pressure and reducing your
quality of sleep. These repeated apneas reduce your oxygen levels, and this
alerts your brain to wake the body to begin breathing again.
You are unlikely to remember this happening but you may feel tired the following day. You may be aware that you have restless sleep or that you wake up in the middle of the night for no apparent reason.
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Understanding Sleep Disordered Breathing
Symptoms from lack of sleep are often what prompt people with sleep apnea to visit their doctor. These may include:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Poor concentration
- Poor memory
Getting diagnosed and effectively treated is important to reduce risks and improve quality of life.
