Millbrae Dental Care
Dental Implants, Sleep Apnea, TMJ Pain Relief and Cosmetic Dentist

What Are The Signs And Symptoms* of Sleep Apnea?


Cofee is used to keep sleep apnea sufferes awake all day
The most common symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is excessive daytime sleepiness. We’re not talking about sleep-deprived new parents, or someone being tired after a long trip, extreme exercise, or staying up late drinking with your friends. We’re talking about always feeling sleepy, as if you may nod off in meetings, while watching TV, while driving, etc.

If you feel sleepy during the day, have to drink a lots of coffee to stay awake and alert during work hours, or people often tell you that you look tired you may want to take our Epworth Sleep Apnea Self-Test. This way you can better gauge your sleepiness and discuss it with Dr. Tsai.

Sleep Apnea Can Cause Sleepiness, Headaches, even Heartburn


Many people don’t realize how much our sleep cycle can impact our overall health from dental health, to feeling depressed and irritable. A good night of sleep can change the way you feel and look at the world. Here is a brief list of documented* symptoms of sleep apnea:

» Excessive daytime sleepiness.
» Waking with an unrefreshed feeling after sleep.
» Having problems with memory and concentration.
» Feeling tired.
» Experiencing mood swings, or even personality changes.
» Morning or night headaches (about half of all people with sleep apnea report headaches).
» Heartburn or a sour taste in the mouth at night.
» Swelling of the legs.
» Getting up during the night to urinate (nocturia).
» Waking up feeling short of breath or you can’t breath - Episodes of not breathing (apnea).
» Loud snoring. Almost everyone with sleep apnea snores.
» Restless tossing and turning during sleep.
» Night-time choking or gasping spells.

Other Conditions with Sleep Apnea Symptoms


There are other conditions with symptoms that are similar to sleep apnea. They are:
» Under-active thyroid (hypothyroidism)
» Narcolepsy - falling asleep suddenly
» Intense urge to move the legs - restless legs syndrome

What can you do about your sleep apnea?





So what can you do? And how can we help? First thing to do is fill out as Epworth Sleep Apnea Screening Test (click here). If you score a 10 or higher on the Epworth Sleep Apnea Scale, you should schedule an appointment to discuss having a sleep test (Polysomnogram or PSG). Your health insurance plan will most likely cover the cost. If you don’t have health insurance, there are many sleep clinics and centers that offer low-cost sleep tests.

Once you have completed a sleep test (PSG), and one of our sleep physicians has confirmed that you have sleep apnea, we can discuss your treatment options.


Treat Sleep Apnea & Snoring Without a CPAP Machine


Have Sleep Apnea questions? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Tsai

Or you can always email or call us: (650)-583-5880



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Dr. Sherry Tsai provides an alternative to CPAP machines to treat Sleep Apnea and Snoring in Millbrae, San Bruno, Burlingame, San Mateo and the Bay Area


* Summary of sleep apnea symptoms from WebMD.