Have sleep apnea? Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder that causes a cessation in breathing during sleep. Untreated, sleep apnea has been linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, memory problems, and weight gain. Dr. Berghash, Dr. Lanza, or Dr. Wright at South Coast Ear, Nose & Throat (with offices in Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, and Okeechobee, FL), offer treatments for sleep apnea. Here are four signs you may have sleep apnea.

1. Pauses in Breathing- Sleep apnea causes people to stop breathing during the night. Pauses in breathing can last up to 10-20 seconds at a time. These pauses in breathing are often followed by gasping or choking noises as the body's respiratory system fights through the blockage.

2. Loud Snoring- Symptoms of sleep apnea include loud or frequent snoring. Snoring is noisy breathing during sleep. Snoring occurs when you cannot move air freely through your nose and throat during sleep. If you have sleep apnea, you might not snore every night. Over time, the snoring may occur more often and get louder. Snoring can cause disruptions to your sleep and your bed partner's sleep.

3. Daytime Sleepiness- Another sign of sleep apnea is daytime sleepiness. If you have sleep apnea, you may have trouble staying awake during the moments of the day when you're not active. People with daytime sleepiness are at risk of occupational injuries and motor vehicle accidents, and have poorer health than comparable adults.

4. Morning Headaches- Morning headaches may be a sign of sleep apnea. When you suffer from sleep apnea, your airway is completely or partially blocked during sleep. Because of this closure, the amount of oxygen being transported to your brain is reduced, which puts you at risk for morning headaches. Through the treatment of sleep apnea, people can experience improved sleep while also resolving headache pain.

A proper diagnosis and treatment for sleep apnea can change your life dramatically for the better. Call one of South Coast Ear, Nose & Throat's offices to schedule an appointment- Fort Pierce, FL-(772) 464-6055; Okeechobee, FL, (863) 357-7791; Port St. Lucie, FL, (772) 398-9911. You will experience exemplary service and state-of-the-art care at South Coast Ear, Nose & Throat!