Sleep apnea is a common, and annoying, condition that affects millions of Americans yearly. Statistics state that nearly 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. That’s a lot of CPAP and BIPAP machines being used.
Sleep apnea is a serious condition that, if left untreated for prolonged amounts of time, can result in major diseases like type 2 diabetes and other medical issues.
But how can you tell if you have sleep apnea? Here are some symptoms to keep aware of if you suspect that you might have the condition.
- Exhaustion Even After Plenty of Rest
Waking up in the middle of the night, even without knowing it, is a symptom of sleep apnea. The irregular breathing pattern that you experience with the condition makes this fact true. This irregular sleep pattern interrupts your ability to properly rest, and leave you exhausted throughout the following day.
The choking, gasping, and struggling for breath that sleep apnea is associated with can elevate your heart rate and blood pressure. These two elevated factors will prevent your body and mind from shutting down fully at night, making it harder to sleep. A CPAP or BIPAP machine keeps you from having these issues, and allows you to sleep more restfully. - Random Heart Palpitations
Having your heart flutter if you’re nervous for an event or something similar is common, even expected, but irregular and random palpitations are a red flag and should raise questions. These can raise your risk for strokes, blood clots, and heart failures. If you have this symptom, you should see a doctor immediately. - You’re Experiencing Insomnia
Having trouble sleeping at night can be a symptom of sleep apnea. According to The National Sleep Foundation, people with sleep apnea report having issues getting to sleep at night. Whether this is a cause or an effect is not known, presently.
If you’re having these symptoms, or suspect that you may have sleep apnea, it is recommended to see a medical professional and obtain the proper CPAP supplies, such as a CPAP mask and a CPAP machine. These sleep apnea machines can help alleviate your symptoms and give you a more restful sleep.
Your health is important, and sleep is an integral part of that health. Getting a good night’s sleep is critically important to achieving that.