What Are the Warning Signs of Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea, which is common as you age, is a condition that causes your breathing during sleep to continuously start and stop. About 20% of seniors experience it and many of them aren’t even aware. A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society concluded that only 8% of adults over 65 are tested for it, despite over 50% of the population suffering from it. This is a problem because undiagnosed sleep apnea is linked to high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart attack. So, what are the warning signs of sleep apnea and what can you do about it?

What Are the Warning Signs of Sleep Apnea?

Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure

About 50% of people with hypertension also suffer from sleep apnea. This is caused by the pauses in breathing. When you have sleep apnea, each pause during sleep causes your sympathetic nervous system to activate which then causes your blood pressure to spike. Additionally, your body releases a stress hormone which also raises your blood pressure. 

A major warning sign of sleep apnea is what doctors typically call resistant hypertension, which happens when you can’t get your blood pressure under control despite taking at least two medications for it. 

Fortunately, when such patients are diagnosed with sleep apnea and receive treatment for it, their blood pressure often improves.

Morning Headache

Roughly 30% of people with sleep apnea also wake with a headache in the morning, though it’s unclear exactly why. The simple answer may be decreased oxygen in the blood as well as the dilation of blood vessels in your brain as they try to compensate for the lack of oxygen. 

This type of headache often occurs on both sides of your cranium and tends to resolve on its own with time, and perhaps a bit of coffee.

Impotence

Though it is seldom talked about, erectile dysfunction (ED) can actually be a symptom of sleep apnea. In fact, one study found that over 65% of men with ED also had obstructive sleep apnea. This is due to the fact that sleep apnea usually causes testosterone to diminish, which is necessary for sexual activity. 

Sleep Issues

People with sleep apnea may notice they wake frequently throughout the night. This can lead sufferers to think they actually have insomnia. This is especially common in women, as they are more likely to be misdiagnosed with anxiety and given sleeping pills. This is prevalent during perimenopause because the restless nights are often attributed to temperature flashes. This can actually make sleep apnea worse, so be sure to address your concerns with your doctor.

Urinating Frequently at Night

Another sign of sleep apnea is the need to urinate frequently at night. Many people contact their doctors thinking they have a bladder problem, only to find out it’s caused by sleep apnea.. The light sleep that comes with this condition is usually the cause as sufferers notice the urge to urinate more frequently than those without sleep apnea who experience deeper sleep. 

Dry Mouth

Another 30% of people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) claim to have a dry mouth upon waking in the morning which is most likely caused by breathing through their mouth as they sleep. This is seen much more commonly with people suffering from OSA than with those who simply snore at night.

Exhaustion

This may come as no surprise, but many sleep apnea sufferers are also perpetually sleep-deprived. However, with sleep apnea, you can feel completely depleted even after getting a full eight hours of sleep. You may also find yourself dozing off while doing enjoyable activities like reading a book or watching TV. If you find yourself wanting to fall asleep in situations where you should be alert, this could be a sign of sleep apnea.

If you notice any of these signs of sleep apnea, you should contact your doctor and ask for a referral to a sleep specialist. The most popular treatment for sleep apnea is the CPAP machine which helps you breathe better while you sleep.

Fortunately, once your sleep apnea is treated, the symptoms often disappear.

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