Snoring may seem harmless, but when it’s loud, frequent, and paired with daytime exhaustion, it may be a sign of something more serious. At Smile On Dental Salon & Sleep Apnea Center, we help patients recognize the key sleep apnea symptoms so they can take steps toward restful, healthier sleep. Understanding these signs is the first step in addressing a condition that can significantly impact your overall health and quality of life.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
A Common but Often Undiagnosed Sleep Disorder
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition where your airway becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep, causing brief pauses in breathing. These episodes can happen dozens — even hundreds — of times per night, reducing oxygen levels and interrupting your sleep cycle. According to the Sleep Foundation, many people with OSA don’t realize they have it until symptoms become more serious.
Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
What to Watch For — Night and Day
Sleep apnea can affect every part of your day — even if you don’t remember waking up at night. If you or your partner notice any of the following symptoms, it may be time to schedule a consultation:
- Loud, persistent snoring
- Gasping or choking during sleep
- Frequent nighttime awakenings
- Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Morning headaches
- Daytime fatigue or brain fog
- Irritability or mood changes
- Difficulties with concentration or memory
Because many of these symptoms overlap with other conditions, proper sleep apnea testing and diagnosis is key to getting the right care.
How Sleep Apnea Affects Your Health
More Than Just Tiredness
Untreated sleep apnea doesn’t just leave you feeling tired — it can raise your risk for serious health issues like:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- Weight gain and metabolic problems
That’s why identifying sleep apnea symptoms early is so important. Early intervention can prevent complications and restore your sleep — and your energy.
What to Do If You Have Symptoms
Talk to a Sleep Apnea Specialist
If these symptoms sound familiar, don’t ignore them. Our team at Smile On Dental offers in-depth consultations and testing options to help determine the cause of your disrupted sleep. If sleep apnea is diagnosed, we’ll guide you through comfortable, non-CPAP treatments like oral appliance therapy.
Why Choose Smile On Dental Salon?
Chicago and Deerfield’s Sleep Apnea Experts
We offer personalized, compassionate care backed by the latest dental sleep medicine technology. Whether you’re just beginning to explore your symptoms or ready for treatment, our locations in Lakeview and Deerfield make it easy to get the help you need — close to home.
If you’re ready to get to the bottom of your sleep struggles, request a consultation today. Relief could be just one good night’s sleep away.