Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder where one’s breathing is interrupted while sleeping, which further leads to health complications. If untreated, it can lead to serious repercussions as one might stop breathing several times during the night, leading to serious health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, and heart attacks. Read on to know more about common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea.

1. Sleepiness
Sleepiness is one of the most common signs of sleep apnea. Despite getting a full night’s sleep, one might still feel tired and be lethargic throughout the day.

2. Feeling sick after waking up
One of the common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea is feeling sick after waking up. One might have a dry mouth, a sore or dry throat, and suffer frequent morning headaches due to sleep apnea.

3. Snoring
Snoring is one of the most common things while sleeping. But in the case of sleep apnea, a person may snore louder than normal so much so that one might wake-up the neighboring person.

4. Mood swings and cognitive issues
Sleep apnea is accompanied by frequent mood swings and cognitive issues. For instance, one might have a problem memorizing things and might constantly have depression and anxiety.

5. Shortness of breath
People who have sleep apnea wake-up gasping for breath and often have a sensation of choking.

6. Not being able to sleep
Not being able to sleep properly is one of the most common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea. One might wake-up frequently at night, suffer from insomnia, or even feel restless. These signs are even more common in women.

7. Breathing stops during the night
One might not even notice, but in case one has sleep apnea, their breathing stops several times in the night. Such instances are mostly noticed by the person sleeping next to you.

8. Nocturia
Nocturia is a condition in which one wakes up in the middle of the night to urinate. It is not specifically a sign of sleep apnea and can signify some other disorder. But, in case you have recently developed this condition, you should consult your doctor immediately.

9. Signs and symptoms of sleep apnea in children
While most of the above signs and symptoms are also present in children with sleep Apnea, some other symptoms include sleepwalking, nasal voice, bedwetting, mouth breathing, especially while sleeping, and hyperactivity during the day.

As mentioned in the beginning, sleep apnea can lead to serious health issues. If you or your loved one notice any of the above-mentioned signs and symptoms of sleep apnea, you should consult a healthcare specialist without further delay and get timely treatment and medication.