05 Sep Why You Wake Up Tired
Posted at 09:00h
in Sleep Apnea
Waking up feeling groggy, foggy, or completely unrested can be frustrating, especially if you went to bed on time and think you got enough sleep.
If you’re constantly wondering why you wake up tired, the answer may not lie in the number of hours you sleep but in the quality of that sleep.
One of the most common and underdiagnosed causes of poor-quality sleep is sleep apnea, a disorder that silently disrupts rest throughout the night.
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing stops and starts repeatedly while you sleep. The most prevalent type is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which happens when the muscles in the back of your throat relax too much, causing a blockage in the airway.
Each time this occurs, your brain briefly wakes you up just enough to restart your breathing. These episodes can happen dozens, or even hundreds, of times per night. What makes sleep apnea especially deceptive is that most people don’t remember waking up during these moments.
But while the interruptions are brief, they’re enough to prevent your body from reaching and maintaining the deep and REM sleep stages your brain and body need to recover fully.
Why You Wake Up Tired
If you suffer from sleep apnea, your sleep is constantly fragmented, even if you’re unaware of it. This leads to:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Difficulty concentrating or memory issues
- Mood swings and irritability
- Morning headaches
- Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
When your body never gets into deep, restorative sleep, you’ll wake up feeling as if you barely slept at all. That’s why you wake up tired, even after what seems like a full night in bed.
How Sleep Apnea Affects Your Overall Health
Untreated sleep apnea doesn’t just leave you tired; it can increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
It can also contribute to depression and weaken your immune system, making it essential to seek diagnosis and treatment if you suspect a problem.
Effective Help Is Available
If you suspect sleep apnea might be the cause of your morning fatigue, don’t ignore it. Left untreated, sleep apnea can contribute to serious health issues.
Fortunately, treatment doesn’t always mean bulky machines. For patients in the San Antonio, TX area, Dr. Drake’s Sleep Solutions offers comfortable and convenient alternatives like custom-fitted oral appliances that gently keep your airway open as you sleep, no masks or machines required.
So if you’re tired of waking up tired, it’s time to investigate the real cause. With expert care from Dr. Drake’s Sleep Solutions, you can finally get the quality sleep you deserve and wake up truly refreshed.
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