Sleep Apnea Warning Signs You Should Not Ignore

Most of the time, sleep problems creep up slowly. You are a little more tired than you used to be. Your partner rolls over earlier in the night because the snoring has gotten louder. You wake up with a dry mouth, or a dull headache, and shrug it off. None of those things are a diagnosis, but together they are often worth a closer look.

If any of the signs below sound familiar, it can be a good idea to have a conversation with your doctor or dentist. You do not need to figure this out on your own, and you do not need to assume the worst.

Signs Worth Paying Attention To

These are some of the most common patterns patients mention to us. None of them are proof of sleep apnea on their own, but they are the kinds of things that are worth bringing up:

• Loud, frequent snoring that your partner has started to mention
• Pauses in breathing during sleep, often noticed by someone else in the room
• Waking up gasping, choking, or with a racing heart
• Daytime fatigue that coffee and a full night in bed do not seem to fix
• Morning headaches or a sore jaw
• A dry mouth or scratchy throat in the morning
• Difficulty concentrating, or unusual irritability during the day

If you notice several of these, consider asking your doctor or dentist about it. A sleep study is usually the next step, and it can be done from the comfort of your own bed in many cases.

How a Dentist Can Help

Once sleep apnea has been diagnosed, dentists are often part of the treatment team. For patients with mild or moderate obstructive sleep apnea - and for patients who have tried CPAP and found it difficult to tolerate - a custom oral appliance can be a comfortable alternative. The appliance fits like a retainer and gently holds the lower jaw in a position that helps keep the airway open during sleep.

It is small, quiet, and easy to travel with, which is a meaningful upgrade for a lot of people. If you would like to learn more about how we approach this, our sleep apnea page walks through the details. You are also welcome to call us at (843) 681-9666 or visit us at 92b Main St, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926-1684 to talk it through in person.