Did you know that around 30 million Americans have sleep apnea? Sleep apnea is a sleep condition that causes breathing to stop while you sleep. These disruptions in obstructive sleep apnea, the most prevalent form of the illness, are caused by deflated throat muscles that restrict the airway, often leading to snoring. But is it possible to have sleep apnea and not snore? To discover the answer to this, just keep on reading this article.
Can You Have Sleep Apnea Without Snoring?
Snoring is frequently related to sleep apnea, but can you have sleep apnea and not snore? Yes. Snoring, while indicating an obstruction of the upper airway, does not usually imply sleep apnea. Furthermore, if you have sleep apnea, you are more prone to snore, but having a sleep problem does not guarantee that you will snore.
Snoring does not always play a large role in the symptomology of central sleep apnea, a more rare type of illness. This is because, rather than a blockage of the upper airway, central sleep apnea is caused by a defective link between the brain and the muscles that govern breathing.
Signs of Sleep Apnea
Your bed companion is often the first person to notice the initial indications of sleep apnea. The following are the most prevalent symptoms of sleep apnea:
- Snoring
- Daytime sleepiness
- Restlessness
- Dry mouth or sore throat upon awakening
- Cognitive impairment
- Night sweats
- Headaches
If you experience one or more of these symptoms, it’s highly possible that you have sleep apnea. Talk with your doctor! If your doctor suspects you have sleep apnea, you may be advised to have a sleep examination with a sleep expert or an overnight sleep study to objectively screen for sleep apnea.
A polysomnogram, or nightly sleep study, is part of the testing (PSG). A PSG is done under the direct observation of a qualified technician in a sleep laboratory.
A number of biological processes, such as brain electrical activity, eye movements, muscular activity, heart rate, breathing patterns, airflow, and blood oxygen levels, are measured during the test at night while sleeping.
The Dangers of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition that is pretty scary to deal with. If left untreated, it may lead to hypertension, stroke, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, diabetes, obesity, and heart attacks.
Additionally, sleep apnea may impact your teeth. Because sleep apnea is associated with greater blood pressure, it is possible that it might induce arrhythmias and heart failure. This is why it is so important to be aware of the signs of sleep apnea and to get it dealt with!
You Can Have Sleep Apnea Without Snoring
You don’t only have to snore to know that you have sleep apnea. Now that you’re aware of the signs and dangers of sleep apnea, you can start getting it treated right away.