Sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed and untreated because people simply do not realize they have it. Because it happens at night during sleep, it is difficult to self-diagnose. Warning signs to look for include:nnExcessive snoringnWaking up choking or gasping in the middle of the nightnWaking up during the night feeling short of breathnDaytime exhaustion and fatiguenSore throat or dry mouth in the morningsnInsomnianLoss of mental focus and forgetfulnessnMoodiness and irritabilitynHeadachesnChronic snoring every night is often noticed by a partner and often dismissed as a quirk. However, it is a great indicator of a bigger problem. If your partner notices habitual snoring, you may be suffering from sleep apnea. If you sleep alone, you can record yourself sleeping to see if you snore.nnIt is estimated that at least 10 million Americans have unrecognized sleep apnea. If you believe your snoring or these other warning factors might indicate a more serious problem, speak to experienced dentist Dr. E. M. Makhoul in Mission Viejo today by calling EM Makhoul DDS - Dentist of Mission Viejo Phone Number(949) 364-3724.