One of the signs you probably immediately connect to the presence of obstructive sleep apnea is snoring. So, you may be surprised to find out that symptoms such as depression, changes to your libido and waking up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night are also signs of the condition. Here are a few signs and signals of sleep apnea you may not know.
Depression
When you're not getting enough sleep, you're more likely to have mood swings, such as periods of depression, anxiety or sadness. Depression, in particular, has strong links to sleep apnea. Some studies have found that conventional treatments for depression don't always work when patients have sleep apnea or other sleep breathing disorders.
Not only can depression make you feel sad, but you may also lose interest in things you used to enjoy.
You may also notice that you have less energy and difficulty concentrating. Your appetite may be reduced or increased, which can make you lose weight or gain weight.
Some people also experience thoughts of suicide or hurting others. If these symptoms occur, talk to your doctor immediately. When any of these symptoms occur, treating sleep apnea may help, but some people may also require the use of antidepressant medication or therapy.
In addition to depression, patients with sleep apnea may experience anxiety, panic attacks at night and irritability.
Problems Thinking
Sleep apnea can also have severe effects on your ability to think clearly or remember things. You may describe it as "brain fog." This occurs because the repeated interruptions to your breathing during the night mean you get less oxygen to your brain and other tissues. Additionally, you will never reach the third level of non-REM sleep (known as NREM Stage 3), where your memories are organized and cognition is improved.
Impotence and Changes to Libido
Did you know that difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection could be a sign of sleep apnea in men? Sleep apnea has cardiovascular consequences, including high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which can impede erections. Sleep apnea can also cause systemic inflammation, which may affect blood vessels directly and prevent erections.
Many people report changes to the libido or interest in sex, too, because they're fatigued.
Nighttime Urination
Are you getting up frequently at night to urinate? This could be a sign of sleep apnea and is referred to as nocturia. It can be caused by a few different factors, including excessive fluid intake too close to bedtime or diuretic medications. It can also happen as a result of sleep apnea because interruptions in breathing prevent the body from releasing anti-diuretic hormone (ADH). When this hormone is not produced, you get up to go to the bathroom more.
Are you experiencing these symptoms? Get checked for sleep apnea. Call Dr. Buck now at 425-361-0826 to discuss your symptoms.
