21 Aug Do You Often Wake Up with a Sore Throat? It Could Be a Sign of Sleep Apnea?
Sleep disorders can be very damaging to your health, because they often have significant effects on your body in the long-term without many easily identifiable symptoms in the short-term. In the case of sleep apnea, you may have some symptoms that are easy to attribute to other conditions, so you may struggle to get an accurate diagnosis that will facilitate the right treatment. When it is diagnosed, sleep apnea is very treatable with CPAP surgery, oral appliances, or surgery, so you should pay attention to the subtle signs that sleep apnea can bring about.
Sleep apnea and sore throat symptoms
If you have sleep apnea, you may feel a sore or scratchy throat in the morning when you wake up, because snoring irritates the throat. Snoring is a common trait of sleep apnea sufferers, and it may not be obvious to you while you sleep. However, it may be harder to ignore a sore, scratchy throat as well as hoarseness when you speak. If these symptoms are present each morning, sleep apnea is likely the culprit.
Other signs of sleep apnea
In addition to discomfort in the throat, sleep apnea can cause ongoing fatigue, irritability, muscle soreness, and memory problems. Over time, sleep apnea may lead to depression, weight gain, or anxiety as well as cardiovascular problems like high cholesterol and hypertension. That’s why it’s important to discuss your symptoms with your doctor and request a sleep study to receive an accurate diagnosis.