I snore, do I have sleep apnea?

Snoring is the noise produced by partially obstructed airway due to collapse of airway. Snoring does not essentially means sleep apnea. It may be simple snoring. Apnea means cessation of breathing and sleep apnea literally means cessation of breathing during sleep. This is involuntary and can have serious effects on one’s health which can be life threatening also.

It becomes very important to know whether your snoring is simple snoring or it is sleep apnea. If snoring is associated with other symptoms and it is causing hindrance in your sleep then one should think that it might be sleep apnea.

There may be numerous symptoms which may indicate towards the condition like:

- If you snore loudly.

- You frequently wake up at night.

- You feel restless during sleep

- Wake up to pass urine (nocturia)

- Feel sleep during the day

- Difficulty in concentrating and feel irritable during the day

These symptoms in addition to obesity and increased body mass index generally points towards the problem, which is sleep apnea. Studies have shown that increase of body mass by only 10% can lead to significant increase in risk of development of obstructive sleep apnea. If you have a family history of sleep apnea then one is more prone to get the same.

If one is experiencing these, then one should immediately consult a doctor because if left unaddressed it can lead to serious health problems like:

- High blood pressure

- Anxiety

- Diabetes

- Increased risk of heart attack

- Increased risk of stroke