Waking up tired even after a full night’s sleep? Feeling like you never really rest, no matter how early you go to bed? You’re not alone. If you’ve tried adjusting your bedtime, cutting down on screen time, or even switching mattresses with no luck, there might be something else going on.
Sleep apnea is a common but serious sleep disorder that causes your breathing to stop and start throughout the night. Many people don’t even know they have it. Here are some signs that might mean it’s time to talk to a doctor about a sleep apnea procedure.
You Snore Loudly Every Night – A Sleep Apnea Procedure Might Help
Snoring doesn’t always mean something is wrong, but if it happens every night and is loud enough to wake others, it could be more than just annoying. Loud snoring is one of the most common signs of sleep apnea. It usually means that air isn’t flowing smoothly through your throat and nose as you sleep.
If your snoring is paired with gasping or choking sounds, that’s an even bigger red flag. You might not even notice it yourself, but your partner or someone else in the house may have mentioned it. In this case, a sleep apnea procedure may help open up your airways and make breathing easier at night.
You Wake Up With a Dry Mouth or Sore Throat
When your breathing stops during sleep, your mouth often falls open. This causes dry mouth or even a sore throat in the morning. If you notice this happening frequently, it could be a sign that you’re breathing through your mouth instead of your nose during the night.
You might brush it off at first, thinking it’s just dehydration or the air in your room. But if it happens regularly, it’s worth paying attention to. It could be your body’s way of telling you something’s not right with how you’re sleeping.
You Always Feel Tired No Matter How Long You Sleep
It’s one thing to be tired after a long day. It’s another to wake up tired after a full eight hours of sleep. If you’re constantly dragging through your day and can’t focus, sleep apnea might be to blame. This disorder disrupts your sleep cycles, keeping you from reaching deep, restful sleep.
Your brain and body never get the full recharge they need. You might even find yourself dozing off during the day, while driving, or in meetings. That kind of sleepiness isn’t normal and can even be dangerous.
You Struggle With Morning Headaches
Waking up with a headache now and then isn’t too unusual, but if it happens most mornings, it could be linked to poor sleep. Sleep apnea lowers the amount of oxygen your brain gets during the night. That lack of oxygen can trigger headaches that start as soon as you wake up.
If pain relievers only offer temporary relief and the headaches come back the next day, your sleep may be the root cause. Many people don’t connect headaches with sleep issues, but it’s a warning sign that shouldn’t be ignored.
You’ve Been Told You Stop Breathing While You Sleep
One of the clearest signs of sleep apnea is when someone sees or hears you stop breathing while you sleep. It might sound scary, and it is. These breathing pauses can last from a few seconds to over a minute, happening many times throughout the night.
If someone has told you that you stop breathing, gasp for air, or seem restless while you sleep, that’s something you need to take seriously.