Doctors Answers (5)
The best way to tell if some one has sleep apnea is usually doing a sleep study. Unless a sleep study is done it is usually a clinical suspicion. Sometimes patients do not have symptoms, yet they still have sleep apnea and vice versa.
To answer your question: Yes, this is a possibility. If you will contact our office, we would be happy to see you for an sleep-evaluation.
You may definitely have sleep apnea since certain people with untreated sleep apnea will develop heart problems, such as palpitations. You need a complete and thorough sleep evaluation including an upper airway evaluation and an overnight sleep study. After all the above information is available to your otolaryngologist specializing in sleep disorders, an appropriate treatment plan will be recommended.
The signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include excessive daytime sleepiness, poorly refreshing sleep, witness loud snoring and apnea spells, noctural gasping or choking, memory loss and concentration difficulties, leg swelling, frequent episodes of noctural urination early morning headache or dry mouth and heart palpitations/nighttime sweating. If you suffer chronically from these then you may need a referral to a sleep specialist.
To determine if you have sleep apnea and the type of apnea (obstructive or central) you will need to undergo an overnight sleep study. Many hormonal and heart symptoms are commonly associated with obstructive sleep apnea. Treatment of sleep apnea can correct these issues. Not treating sleep apnea can result in stroke high blood pressure and heart attacks. Yes, see a sleep specialist soon.
