3 Warning Signs That You Might Have Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition that causes difficulty breathing while you are resting at night; in some cases, your breathing might even stop completely. If you believe that you have sleep apnea, you might need to get a sleep apnea appliance in order to protect yourself and help you breathe when you go to sleep. If you're not sure if you have sleep apnea or not, you should get to a doctor for help; in the meantime, here are a few warning signs that might indicate you have a problem:

You Are Overweight

To be blunt, if you are overweight you have a greater risk of developing sleep apnea. Individuals who have a fat tongue or a thick neck are more likely to have a problem breathing while they sleep. A large tongue, in particular, can cause a natural obstruction because it will sag and block your airway while you sleep. If you want to solve your sleep apnea problem, going on a diet and losing some weight might help, as this could reduce the size of your neck and other facial features that contribute to the problem. 

You Snore When You Sleep

Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea; but loud, consistent snoring can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea. To put it another way, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, but most people who have sleep apnea do snore. If you get constant complaints about your snoring from your sleeping partner, it might be time to get checked out to see if it is part of a larger problem.

Deviated Septum

If you've ever suffered a broken nose or you naturally have a deviated septum, this could also cause you to develop a sleep apnea problem. A deviated septum occurs when the middle wall inside your nose is crooked, causing the airways to become impaired.

Sleep apnea is a condition that you should take very seriously. If you believe you might have a problem, you need to get checked out by a doctor immediately. That said, you should also know that being diagnosed with sleep apnea is not the end of the world. There are sleep apnea appliances available that can help you with your breathing at night, and even sound an alarm to wake you up if you suddenly stop breathing while you are asleep. Companies like Leidenheimer Dental Group Inc can offer more information.