4 Signs You Could Have Sleep Apnea
If you snore loudly, feel tired even after a full night of sleep, or wake frequently at night experiencing shortness of breath, you may have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during the night. If you think you might have sleep apnea, it is critical to speak with a medical professional. Without effective treatment, you may be at risk for heart problems and other health complications.
Understanding Sleep Apnea: How Chiropractic Care Can Help
Below, our Scottsdale chiropractor Dr. Secrest shares four signs that you could have sleep apnea
#1: Trouble sleeping through the night
During sleep apnea, your body actually stops breathing, which means you may awake abruptly throughout the night accompanied by shortness of breath. Awakening with a dry mouth, sore throat and morning headache is also common.
#2: Loud snoring
Many people dismiss snoring as a nuisance to their partner and do not realize that snoring could be a sign of something more serious. Loud snoring punctuated by periods of silence is a sign of sleep apnea.
#3: Lack of energy during the day
Since you are not getting restorative sleep at night, you may experience excessive daytime sleepiness and a general lack of energy – even if you were still in bed for eight hours the night before. You may fall asleep while you are working, watching television or even while driving. Chronic fatigue and irritability are common.
#4: Intermittent pauses in breathing
If you sleep with a partner, ask your partner if your breathing intermittently pauses or stops during sleep; if so, you may have sleep apnea.
If you have sleep apnea, it is critical that you receive treatment for this serious sleep disorder. Chiropractic care can help. Adjustments, massage therapy, nutritional guidance and breathing exercises can help address the root triggers for your sleep apnea and aid in the breathing and proper oxygenation of the muscles. Chiropractic care complements other sleep apnea treatments, like using a C-PAP.
Have you tried chiropractic care for sleep apnea? Share your experience below!