The reason many people seek diagnosis and treatment is because a concerned spouse or family member has noticed sleep disturbances. This occurs more frequently than a person complaining about the condition themselves. Sleep apnea directly affects family members as much as it would affect the person with the condition because the symptoms associated with sleep apnea include snoring, frequent waking up, gasps and pauses in breathing, and irritability.

As a result, a family member might open the dialogue about a complaint that can result in a proper diagnosis of sleep apnea in Atlanta, GA.

Sleep apnea is a silent condition

While sleep apnea might be a silent condition to the sufferer, a family member may be the first to notice the condition. It has been estimated that up to 20 million people are currently suffering from sleep apnea–many may not even know. Factors increasing your risk of sleep apnea include:

  • Being overweight.
  • Having a first or second generation family member that has it.
  • Snoring.
  • A thicker neck and narrow airway.
  • Smoking.
  • Nasal congestion.

The result of sleep apnea is daytime fatigue and a cascade of compensations our bodies use to deal with it. Over time, these can lead to a growing list of serious complications, including diabetes, stroke, heart disease, and other conditions.

Contact Craniofacial Pain & Dental Sleep Center of Georgia for more information on sleep apnea in Atlanta and how you can be on the lookout for symptoms in your spouse or family member.