Recognizing the Critical Signs of Sleep Apnea and Sleep Disorders in New Hampshire
Occasional tiredness is common, but regularly waking up exhausted, snoring loudly, or struggling to stay awake during the day may point to a sleep problem that deserves attention. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one possible cause. It occurs when the upper airway repeatedly narrows or becomes blocked during sleep, disrupting normal breathing. You don’t have to recognize every symptom to ask for help. Some people notice their own sleep difficulties, while others first hear about them from a partner who notices loud snoring, gasping, or pauses in breathing.
At the Center for Dental Sleep Health, located within Levesque Dentistry, our experienced sleep dentists in Nashua, NH, Dr. Tara Levesque-Vogel and Dr. Keith Levesque, help patients explore oral appliance therapy when it’s an appropriate option for diagnosed sleep apnea. If you’re concerned about your sleep, the first step is to speak with your primary care provider or a qualified sleep medicine professional about whether an evaluation is needed.Â
Ready to reclaim your nights and transform your days? Call our Nashua sleep clinic at (603) 886-4300 to schedule your comprehensive sleep apnea consultation today. We proudly serve patients throughout New Hampshire, including Hudson, Merrimack, Milford, and surrounding communities.
Signs You Should See a Sleep Specialist
Consider arranging a sleep evaluation if you regularly experience any of the following symptoms, particularly if several occur together.
1. Loud, Persistent Snoring
Snoring happens when air movement causes tissues in the upper airway to vibrate. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, but frequent, loud snoring—especially when accompanied by other symptoms—can be a reason to seek evaluation.
Pay attention if your snoring regularly disrupts your partner’s sleep, seems to be getting worse, or occurs alongside gasping or choking sounds. A partner’s observations can be useful because you may not know what happens while you’re asleep.
2. Gasping, Choking, or Pauses in Breathing
A partner may notice that you seem to stop breathing briefly, followed by a snort, gasp, or choking sound. These episodes can be signs of obstructive sleep apnea, even if you don’t remember waking up.
Don’t wait for daytime symptoms to become severe before discussing repeated breathing pauses with a healthcare professional. A sleep evaluation can help determine whether sleep apnea is present and whether treatment is needed.
3. Feeling Tired Despite Getting Enough Sleep
Do you spend enough time in bed but still wake up feeling unrefreshed? Sleep apnea can repeatedly interrupt sleep, leaving some people tired even when they believe they’ve slept through the night.
Signs worth discussing include:
- Feeling sleepy during work, conversations, or other routine activities.
- Struggling to stay alert while reading or watching television.
- Waking up feeling as though you barely slept.
- Having difficulty staying focused throughout the day.
Daytime fatigue can have many causes, including insufficient sleep, medications, and other medical conditions. A healthcare professional can help determine whether sleep apnea or another issue may be contributing.
If you’re struggling to stay awake while driving, don’t drive when sleepy. Arrange another way to travel and seek medical advice about persistent daytime sleepiness.
4. Morning Headaches, Dry Mouth, or Difficulty Concentrating
Some people with sleep apnea wake up with a dry mouth or an intense headache. Others notice problems with concentration, memory, or mood during the day.
These symptoms are not proof of sleep apnea on their own. However, if they occur alongside loud snoring, disrupted sleep, or daytime sleepiness, they are worth mentioning during a medical evaluation.
You can read more about common warning signs and their possible health effects on our sleep apnea symptoms and health page.
Who Should You Contact About Possible Sleep Apnea?
Knowing where to start can feel confusing, especially if you haven’t been diagnosed with a sleep disorder. Your primary care provider or a qualified sleep medicine professional can review your symptoms, assess your medical history, and determine whether sleep testing is appropriate. Depending on your situation, you may be referred to a sleep specialist or another clinician for further evaluation.
A dentist trained in dental sleep medicine has a different but important role. Once sleep apnea has been diagnosed, a qualified dental sleep medicine provider can assess whether a custom oral appliance may be suitable. The dentist works with the patient’s medical team as needed to support treatment and follow-up.
At the Center for Dental Sleep Health, Dr. Levesque-Vogel and Dr. Levesque focus on helping appropriate patients explore oral appliance therapy. Dr. Stephen Ura continues to contribute in a mentoring and advisory role. Our approach is based on understanding the person behind the symptoms. That means considering your experience with sleep, your health needs, and any difficulties you’ve had with previous treatment—not simply selecting a device and sending you home.
What Happens During a Sleep Evaluation?
The process depends on your symptoms, health history, and the type of testing your clinician recommends. In general, you can expect a few steps.
1. Discuss Your Symptoms and Health History
Your healthcare professional may ask about your sleep schedule, snoring, daytime alertness, medications, medical conditions, and any breathing changes someone has observed while you sleep. If you share a bedroom, your partner’s observations may help provide a clearer picture.
It can be helpful to write down your symptoms before the appointment, including how often they happen and how they affect your daily life.
2. Determine Whether Sleep Testing Is Needed
A clinician may recommend a home sleep apnea test or an overnight sleep study in a sleep center, depending on your circumstances. These tests can assess breathing and other measurements used to evaluate sleep-related breathing disorders.
A proper medical evaluation is important because symptoms alone cannot confirm sleep apnea. A clinician must interpret the results alongside your medical history and other relevant information.
Learn more about the process on our page explaining how a sleep study works. If a home test has been recommended, you can also visit our page about the at-home sleep test.
3. Review the Results and Discuss Next Steps
If testing confirms sleep apnea, your medical provider can explain the findings and discuss suitable treatment options. Recommendations depend on factors such as the type and severity of the condition, your health, and your ability to use a treatment consistently.
If you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea and want to learn about dental treatment, our team can discuss whether oral appliance therapy may be an option for you.
What If You Already Have Sleep Apnea?
You may need another conversation with your healthcare team if your current treatment isn’t working well for you, your symptoms continue, or you’re having trouble using your prescribed device.
For example, some patients find CPAP difficult to tolerate because of mask discomfort, air leaks, dryness, or a feeling of claustrophobia. These concerns are worth discussing with your CPAP care team, which may be able to help troubleshoot the problem. Don’t stop or change prescribed treatment without speaking with your healthcare professional about a safe plan.
For some patients with diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea, a custom oral appliance, such as Herbst or ProSomnus, may be an alternative to CPAP. The appliance is worn during sleep and is designed to help keep the airway open by repositioning the jaw or related oral structures. Suitability depends on your diagnosis and individual needs. Our CPAP alternatives page explains how oral appliance therapy may fit into treatment for people who have difficulty with CPAP.
When Should You Seek Help Promptly?
Make an appointment with a healthcare professional if you regularly experience breathing pauses during sleep, persistent daytime sleepiness, or other symptoms that make you concerned about sleep apnea. These issues deserve attention even if they don’t happen every night.
Seek urgent medical care for severe or sudden symptoms such as significant difficulty breathing while awake, chest pain, or new severe confusion. These symptoms should not be assumed to be caused by sleep apnea.
If sleepiness is affecting your ability to drive or safely perform daily activities, take steps to avoid those risks and contact a healthcare professional promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have sleep apnea if I don't snore?
Yes. Although snoring is common in people with obstructive sleep apnea, not everyone with the condition snores noticeably. Gasping during sleep, witnessed breathing pauses, and persistent daytime sleepiness are also reasons to ask about an evaluation.
Should I see a sleep specialist if I'm tired every day?
If you regularly feel tired despite allowing enough time for sleep, discuss it with your healthcare professional. Sleep apnea is one possible cause, but other sleep, medical, and lifestyle factors can also contribute to fatigue.
Can my partner tell if I have sleep apnea?
Your partner may notice loud snoring, gasping, choking, or pauses in breathing. These observations can help a clinician assess your symptoms, but they cannot confirm a diagnosis without an appropriate medical evaluation.
Do I need a sleep study before getting an oral appliance?
Sleep apnea needs to be medically evaluated and diagnosed before treatment decisions are made. A qualified dental sleep medicine provider can then assess whether oral appliance therapy is appropriate and coordinate care with the medical professionals involved.
Can a dentist diagnose sleep apnea?
A dentist trained in dental sleep medicine can recognize signs that suggest a possible sleep-related breathing disorder and discuss dental treatment options. Medical diagnosis and the interpretation of sleep testing should be handled by an appropriately qualified medical professional.
Take the Next Step Toward Better Sleep
If snoring, disrupted sleep, or daytime fatigue is affecting your life, you don’t have to figure out the cause on your own. Start by discussing your symptoms with your primary care provider or a qualified sleep medicine professional.
If you’ve been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and want to explore oral appliance therapy, the Center for Dental Sleep Health can help you understand whether this treatment may suit your needs. Call (603) 886-4300 to contact our sleep team in Nashua, NH. We serve patients from Nashua and nearby communities, including Hudson, Merrimack, and Milford.