Am I Suffering From Sleep Apnea?
Snoring is the most obvious symptom of sleep apnea, a serious medical condition that impacts your health. But there are a number of additional signs that could mean you’re suffering from this harmful sleep disorder.
Symptoms to look out for include:
- A lack of energy
- Frequent or loud snoring
- Reduced libido
- Insomnia
- Excessive daytime fatigue
- Pauses in breathing or making gasping noises during sleep
- Daytime irritability
If you’re a heavy snorer and experience any of these symptoms, Dr. Robert Bergida will make sure you get the correct diagnosis and appropriate care. He has advanced training in sleep dentistry to alleviate your sleep apnea. We offer sleep apnea solutions to enhance your sleep and dramatically improve your health.
Find Out If You Have Sleep Apnea With a Sleep Study
It’s vital to recognize common symptoms of sleep apnea and seek a diagnosis for this dangerous condition. There are two types of sleep tests, a polysomnograph, which is done at a sleep center facility, and an at-home sleep test that’s completed in the comfort of your own home.
When you meet with Dr. Bergida for your consultation, he’ll examine your airway and ask you some questions about the type of sleep you’ve been getting. Before arranging your sleep test, Dr. Bergida will explain your options in detail to help you get a better understanding of the two and help make a decision.
Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea
There are factors in your life that might place you at higher risk for sleep apnea. For example, older patients and males are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea.
Additional risk factors for OSA include:
- Smoking
- Alcohol use
- Excess weight
- Family history of sleep apnea
- Large neck circumference
- Nasal congestion
Many people who have sleep apnea don’t even realize it. If you notice these risk factors, you may want to talk to Dr. Bergida about arranging a sleep test. Getting the correct diagnosis and treatment will improve your quality of life and protect you from dangerous health conditions that could end up requiring more extensive procedures in the future.
Sleep apnea can endanger your life. It’s been linked to serious conditions like high blood pressure, heart problems, and type 2 diabetes. Even if you don’t think you have sleep apnea, you may be putting your health on the line by avoiding treatment.
The effects of sleep apnea go beyond your physical health. Sleep apnea contributes to the severity of anxiety, depression, and PTSD, which may cause you to isolate yourself from the people in your life or avoid your favorite activities.
Oral Appliances: An Easy Alternative to CPAP
The results of your sleep study will be reviewed by the physician who will provide you with a prescription for sleep apnea care. Many of our patients find relief using one of our oral appliances, which is an easy-to-use alternative to CPAP.
Call our office today at (718) 849-9472 to learn more. We’ll be happy to arrange your consultation with Dr. Bergida. If you or a loved one suffers from sleep apnea, Dr. Bergida will make sure you get the help you need.
Getting the Help You Need
Sleep apnea saps you of your energy by disrupting your sleep, leaving you irritated and exhausted. When you feel fatigued, it’s harder to take on important parts of your life such as work and your relationships.
With treatment, you’ll be able to do the things you enjoy without feeling tired all the time. In fact, seeking treatment for sleep apnea will enhance your overall well-being, allowing you to live without restrictions.
Call Dr. Bergida at (718) 849-9472 today to learn more about your treatment options. You can also fill out the easy form at the bottom of the page and we’ll get right back to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a deviated septum cause obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)?
A deviated septum can make your sleep apnea symptoms worse by further narrowing your airway. However, there isn’t any evidence that suggests a deviated septum alone can cause sleep apnea.
In one study, a group of 49 patients with obstructive sleep apnea had surgery to correct their deviated septa. Even though the patients saw improvements in snoring, it was not effective in treating OSA.
Can sleep apnea cause anxiety?
Repeatedly losing sleep creates a deficit in your sleep bank which makes it difficult to handle stressful situations and can lead to anxiety. While there’s a definite connection between sleep apnea and anxiety, it’s often unclear whether the loss of sleep is causing anxiety or the anxiety itself is causing the disorder.
Unfortunately, it may also be a two-way connection. Patients who suffer from anxiety might be at higher risk for developing a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea. This means that if you treat one of the conditions, you may be able to alleviate the other as well.
With an oral appliance, you can improve your anxiety without ever taking a prescription medication. Contact our Queens office to learn more by calling (929) 335-7284 — one of our knowledgeable team members will be happy to answer your questions.