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March is National Sleep Awareness Month

Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea

Being male
Being overweight
Being over age 40
Having a large neck size (17 inches or greater in men and 16 inches or greater in women)
Having large tonsils, a large tongue, or a small jaw bone
Having a family history of sleep apnea
Gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD
Nasal obstruction due to a deviated septum, allergies, or sinus problems

Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea include:

Loud Snoring – The person may alternate between loud snoring and being very quiet.  Periods of silence may be followed by gasps or snorting sounds.
Observed pauses in breathing – The sleeping partner may notice that the sufferer has temporarily stopped breathing.
Excessive sleepiness – He or she may fall asleep while watching TV, reading, attending meetings or driving.  The person may wake up tired, even after a full night’s sleep.
Morning headaches – The person may consistently wake up with [ … ]