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Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Posted by Catharine in Sleep Disorders
Millions of men, women and children suffer from the condition known as sleep apnea. The disorder is characterized by cessation of breathing while an individual is asleep. Apnea has numerous causes and symptoms and is classified as being central, obstructive or combination. The severity of the condition is determined by the number of breathless episodes occurring during an hour or during an entire night’s sleep. Severe cases of sleep apnea require medical intervention.
Central apnea transpires as a result of a malfunction in the body’s attempt to regulate breathing. When levels of CO2 exceed the levels of O2 in the body; the brain stimulates the body to take a breath. A disruption somewhere along the process causes apnea to occur. This condition is common in persons who have heart disease, have had a stroke or live in high altitude environments.
Obstructive apnea is the result of air passages becoming blocked during sleep. The soft tissues at the back of the mouth and throat (back of the tongue, roof of the mouth, uvula) relax while a person lies on their back, covering the windpipe and obstructing air flow. Being overweight, consuming alcohol or taking sleep enhancing medications before going to bed are also causative factors.
Individuals suffering from sleep apnea experience a wide range of symptoms, some of which are directly witnessed by other persons in the household, social or work environment.
- Abnormal breathing patterns during sleep are often seen in individuals with obstructive apnea. A person often snores loudly then immediately stops breathing for a period of time and may actually gasp for breath.
- Behavioral changes or mood changes occur as a result of lack of oxygen and restful sleep and may be seen as depression, irritability or other emotional disturbances.
- Bedwetting in children or adults waking to make trips to the bathroom is not uncommon because following apneic episodes individuals fall deeper into sleep, relaxing the entire body and triggering the necessity to void. Children may sleep so deeply the bladder relaxes and they do not awaken to go to the bathroom.
- Difficulty with concentrating, learning and memory during the day can be equated with a lack of oxygen and restful sleep.
- Difficulty waking up in the morning, feeling tired throughout the day, or falling asleep during the day is the result of oxygen deprivation.
- Frequent nightmares, frequently awakening during the night (without awareness) or restless sleep patterns as seen in insomnia may be symptoms of improper oxygenation.
- Morning headaches from lack of oxygen are common.
- Sexual dysfunction may occur as a result of the combination of various symptoms.
- Social difficulties are experienced as a result of fatique, behavioral and emotional changes.
