As you probably know, the sooner that you can identify, and seek treatment for, sleep apnea, the better it will be for your oral health and overall wellbeing. In an effort to empower you to spot sleep apnea problems right away, our Saint Louis sleep apnea dentist office has put together this list of day-time sleep apnea problems for which to stay alert.
Most of the time, when we talk about sleep apnea symptoms, we think of problems that arise at night. However, there are many disruptive sleep apnea related problems that pop up when we are awake. For example:
1. Fatigue
Because sleep apnea prevents the patient from completing healthy REM cycles, the patient is very likely to suffer from fatigue and sleepiness during the day. Sleep apnea patients simply aren’t getting the high-quality sleep that they need,
2. Headaches
There are two sleep apnea issues that can lead to chronic headaches. First of all, fatigue often causes headaches in the morning and at night. Additionally, sleep apnea is often accompanied by muscle tension—sometimes dental grinding and clenching—which also results in tension headaches.
3. Problems with focus and mood
Many sleep apnea patients experience radical mood shifts, anxiety, and even depression, but they do not realize it is connected to sleep apnea. You may also find it harder to recall information, names, and dates, and to stay alert during the day.
These are just some of the daytime sleep apnea related issues that you might notice if you’re suffering from sleep apnea. The good news is that our Saint Louis sleep apnea dentist office is here to help you treat and prevent future problems like these.
If you have been noticing signs of sleep apnea in your own life, don’t despair. Take control of your health and reach out to our sleep apnea team!