Don’t ignore the snore

You brush your teeth, crawl into bed, get your eight hours and still wake up feeling like a zombie.  

Sound familiar? You might be dealing with sleep apnea, a common sleep disorder that often goes undiagnosed. This causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start while you snooze. 

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), around 50 to 70 million Americans are affected by sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, insomnia and narcolepsy.

There are two main types of sleep apnea:

• Obstructive sleep apnea is most common. It occurs when the upper airway is repeatedly blocked during sleep, reducing or stopping airflow. Enlarged tonsils, obesity or hormonal changes can narrow the airway and increase the risk of obstructive sleep apnea. 
• Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send signals to control breathing. Certain health conditions that impact how the brain controls airways and chest muscles can lead to central sleep apnea.

Symptoms and causes 

It’s probably not surprising to hear that most sleep apnea symptoms happen while you're asleep, which means they’re not always easy to catch. 

You may not realize any of this is happening until someone else complains. Loud, frequent snoring and gasping trying to get air are common signs.

NHLBI and Mayo Clinic outline the symptoms that you might notice, including:

• Daytime sleepiness 
• Having a hard time concentrating 
• Feeling irritable 
• Waking up often to use the bathroom 
• Difficulty staying asleep 
• Dry mouth 
• Headaches 
• Fatigue

Men are more likely to experience severe sleep apnea. Genetics can also play a role. If mom or dad snored like a bear, you might be next in line.

Certain habits and conditions can also raise your risk, according to Mayo Clinic, including drinking alcohol, smoking, using sedatives and some conditions such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. 

If your bedroom sounds like a construction zone, sleep apnea might be the culprit. The good news is that it's treatable. So, if you suspect you’re spending nights gasping for air or rattling the windows, talk to a doctor. Your body and your neighbors will thank you.