Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

The symptoms of sleep apnea often appear gradually over time. Some are fairly obvious and straightforward; while others may be vague or ambiguous. If you experience two or more of the following indicators of sleep apnea, make an appointment to see your doctor right away to discuss your symptoms and sleep issues.

Chronic Daytime Tiredness/Sleepiness
If you constantly feel exhausted; have trouble functioning on a daily basis because of fatigue; experience mood swings, depression, memory problems, or poor coordination; or tend to fall asleep anytime you stop moving; you are likely sleep deprived and the cause may be sleep apnea.

Snoring
Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, but if you've ever been told that your snoring can be heard all through the house (or even the neighborhood!), it could be due to sleep apnea.

Snoring that also includes snorting, choking, gurgling, or grunting noises is often a result of obstructive sleep apnea.

Waking up with a sore/dry throat
Sleep apnea sufferers often wake up with a sore throat or excessively dry mouth because they're constantly struggling to breath during sleep.

Of course, there are other possible causes for a sore throat (ranging from allergies to enlarged tonsils or adenoids). Yet, if you regularly wake up with a scratchy throat, sleep apnea could be the cause.

High blood pressure
High blood pressure can be caused by many different things. However, if you have any other symptoms of sleep apnea in addition to high blood pressure, there's a good chance you have this particular sleep disorder.

Irregular heartbeat
The stress of trying to breath during sleep apnea episodes, and the resulting lack of oxygen in the body, puts enormous stress on your heart. This can damage and weaken it - and you many experience irregular heartbeats during the day. Other serious, some potentially fatal, cardiovascular problems can also result.

There are also other symptoms you may notice that may suggest you have sleep apnea. These include the following.

Sudden and frequent awakenings accompanied by a feeling of choking, gasping, or coughing.
Unexplained or unusual weight gain.
The need to urinate frequently during the night.
Recurrent/persistent heartburn.
Swollen legs and/or ankles.

Only a qualified physician can make an accurate diagnosis of sleep apnea. Since this sleep condition will worsen if left untreated, the sooner you seek help the better.