10 SIGNS SYMPTOMS THAT COULD INDICATE SLEEP APNEA

10 SIGNS SYMPTOMS THAT COULD INDICATE SLEEP APNEA

1. Loud snoring - Loud and chronic snoring is one of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea. When a person has an airway obstruction during sleep, they may snore loudly as air struggles to pass through their throat.
2. Pausing or stopping breathing during sleep - The most telling sign of sleep apnea is when breathing pauses or stops completely for short periods during sleep. This happens because the airway is blocked and no air is passing into the lungs. Episodes usually last 10-30 seconds but can be longer.
3. Waking up gasping or choking - People with severe sleep apnea may abruptly wake up while struggling or gasping for air as their airway closes during sleep. Waking up in a panic with a sensation of choking or suffocating is frightening and disrupts sleep.
4. Insomnia - Due to frequent awakening from hypoxemia, sleep deprivation is common. This lack of quality, deep sleep can manifest as insomnia and difficulty falling or staying asleep. People may feel tired despite spending many hours in bed.
5. Daytime sleepiness - Excessive daytime sleepiness is one of the strongest indicators of an underlying sleep disorder like sleep apnea. Sufferers are often tired, have trouble staying alert, and may fall asleep at inappropriate times like when driving or working. This obviously impacts daily functioning and safety.
6. Mood changes - Sleep loss from sleep apnea has been linked to increased irritability, depression, and impairments in cognition. People may become grumpy or have mood swings as a result of poor sleep quality and a lack of restorative deep sleep every night. Low energy and motivation are also common.
7. Memory problems - Repeated awakenings and a lack of deep sleep negatively impact hippocampus-dependent functions like declarative memory consolidation and encoding. Over time, sleep apnea sufferers often report problems with focus, concentration, remembering recent conversations or events, and difficulty learning new tasks.
8. Morning headaches - Non-restful, disrupted sleep along with reduced oxygen saturation during the night can cause morning headaches in those with sleep apnea. Headaches typically resolve as the day progresses.
9. High blood pressure - Multiple research studies now show a clear independent association between sleep apnea and hypertension. Apnea events cause intermittent surges in blood pressure as breathing is disrupted. Over months and years, this inconsistent blood pressure cycling places increased stress on the cardiovascular system.
10. Obesity - There is a strong link between obesity and obstructive sleep apnea. The fat deposits in the neck and upper airway make the airway more collapsible during sleep. Losing weight through diet and exercise is one of the most effective natural therapies for mild to moderate sleep apnea. Obesity does not cause central sleep apnea which has a different pathophysiology.

10 SIGNS SYMPTOMS THAT COULD INDICATE SLEEP APNEA

Loud snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, waking with headaches, and daytime sleepiness are common signs. But witnessing actual pauses or stops in breathing is the most accurate indicator of an obstructive sleep breathing disorder like obstructive sleep apnea that requires a full sleep study for diagnosis. Left untreated, sleep apnea can seriously erode quality of life and increase long term health risks.