Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which the person stops breathing. The person may wake up coughing or feeling as if they are choking, which is because they are choking for air. Sleep apnea is a disorder that you shouldn't delay in treating, so if you suspect you have sleep apnea, you should get treated for this disorder right away. Delaying treatment could result in death. Read on for a few signs that you may have sleep apnea.

1. Extreme Tiredness

Sleepless nights may be something that most people suffer from, but if you are waking up each and every day feeling exhausted or feeling like you haven't slept at all, the problem could be sleep apnea. This may be because of how you are sleeping, and if you are waking up choking a few times per night, you aren't getting the amount of sleep you need. The broken sleep can also make you exhausted. You may feel drowsy during the daytime hours, which could cause you to fall asleep easily, possibly even while operating heavy machinery such as a vehicle.

2. Loud Snoring

Loud snoring is a sign of sleep apnea as well. Snoring can also have to do with your sinuses or your nasal cavity. If you are sick, you may snore loudly, but if it's an everyday thing, it could be sleep apnea. This loud snoring may wake yourself up and could be keeping your partner up as well. If you are a loud snorer, you should get to the bottom of it and help you and your partner get proper sleep.

3. Choking

If you wake up choking, gasping for air, or feeling like you stopped breathing, or if your partner has noticed that you stop breathing in the middle of the night, it is most likely sleep apnea. There is a chance that you may not wake up at all, and you may simply stop breathing altogether. This is why getting treatment is essential.

If you have any of the above-mentioned signs of sleep apnea, you need to talk to your physician and get the proper treatment. Sleep apnea is usually treated with a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. Other treatments may include diet and exercise, as you are more at risk for sleep apnea if you are overweight or if you have diabetes. Talk to your physician today about sleep apnea treatments.