Lots of people think that snoring is the main indicator for a sleep apnea diagnosis. But as it turns out, there are many common symptoms that, when put together, can determine if it’s time to see a doctor. Sleep disorders and sleep-disordered breathing (SBD) symptoms can also indicate a more serious underlying condition (like heart disease, diabetes, or stroke), so if you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed below, you may want to speak with your doctor sooner rather than later.
Symptoms of Sleep Disordered Breathing (SBD) can include:
- excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)
- difficulty concentrating
- morning headaches
- feeling “blue” or having a depressed mood
- night sweats
- loud snoring
- weight gain
- general fatigue
- forgetfulness
However, these symptoms may not necessarily relate to sleep apnea, so your doctor will probably recommend a sleep test to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
Once you have a diagnosis of sleep apnea, there are a variety of treatment options available today. You can work with a healthcare professional to help decide on the best option for you. Sleep apnea treatment options include:
- Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Therapy
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
- Automatic Positive Airway Pressure (APAP
- Bilevel Therapy
- Oral Appliance Therapy
By helping patients use the appropriate sleep apnea treatment, health care professionals can help patients improve their health and gain more control over their lives. Many common symptoms are quickly reversed once treatment has been started, with patients reporting improvement in symptoms like daytime sleepiness, depression, fatigue, and moodiness.
