January 15, 2019
Do you ever wake up during the night drenched in sweat? If this happens occasionally, then it’s probably nothing to worry about. However, if you awaken sweaty night after night, then this could indicate a medical condition that should be evaluated. Night sweats can be a sign of sleep apnea, which halts breathing for intervals of time. Fortunately, sleep apnea treatment in Chicago is available. How are night sweats and sleep apnea connect? Read on to find out.
Sleep Apnea and Night Sweats
Night sweats and sleep apnea both happen during sleep, so it’s no shock that they can be connected. People with sleep apnea struggle to breathe at night. Tissue in the throat as well as the tongue block the airway, so breathing takes real effort. It’s almost as if you’re exercising while you’re trying to sleep!
Furthermore, each episode of apnea can provoke an increase in cortisol, the body’s natural stress hormone, in order to restart breathing. Even in children, especially toddlers, sleep apnea can cause restless sleep and night sweats. A child may awaken drenched in sweat and twisted in the bed linens.
Whether this is happening to an adult or a child, further evaluation is necessary to determine if the cause is sleep apnea.
Other Signs of Sleep Apnea
The most common symptom of sleep apnea is loud snoring, which is the sound that results when air vibrates the tissue that surrounds your throat. With sleep apnea, snoring may temporarily stop and then breathing may resume with gasping and coughing. Other symptoms include:
- Extreme daytime fatigue
- Morning headaches
- Difficulty concentrating during the day
- Memory loss
- Depression and irritability
- A sore throat in the morning
Treating Sleep Apnea in Chicago
For a long time, treatment for sleep apnea required using a CPAP—Continuous Positive Air Pressure—machine during sleep. Many people, however, find a CPAP intolerable.
Today, a good alternative is an oral appliance. Each one is custom-fitted, so you’ll hardly be aware of it while you sleep. An oral appliance for sleep apnea gently shifts your lower jaw slightly forward. This simple movement helps keep your airway clear and provides more space for your tongue in your mouth.
Worn nightly, an oral appliance can be the key to relieving the symptoms of sleep apnea, including night sweats. If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the symptoms of sleep apnea, please contact a doctor today.
About the Author
Dr. David B. Schwartz is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry. He is also an American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine-Diplomate. Dr. Schwartz is the Dental Director with the Center for Sleep Medicine and is a frequent lecturer on dental sleep medicine. He treats sleep apnea at Sleep Better Chicagoland with oral appliances. For more information, he can be reached through his website.
No comments yet.
RSS feed for comments on this post.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.