Sleep Apnea Symptoms

In many cases, sleep apnea symptoms include feeling sleepy during the day, snoring loudly and frequently, and having trouble breathing during the night. The majority of people with symptoms are not aware that they are experiencing them. People who suffer from severe symptoms are two to three times more likely to have automobile crashes, and also have an increased risk of having high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes.

Sleep Apnea Info

Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea: An Introduction

People with sleep apnea symptoms are often not aware that they have them. Common symptoms of this condition can include:

Feeling sleepy during the day
Snoring loudly and frequently
Trouble breathing during the night.

Other Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Other sleep apnea symptoms may include:

Morning headaches
Memory or learning problems
Irritability
Not being able to concentrate on your work
Mood swings or personality changes, perhaps feeling depressed
Dry throat upon awaking
Frequent urination at night.

Making a Diagnosis

If you think you may have symptoms of sleep apnea, it is important to see a doctor for evaluation of the sleeping problem. In addition to your primary care provider, a sleep medicine specialist needs to be involved in making the sleep apnea diagnosis, as well treating the condition. Diagnosing sleep apnea is not simple because there can be many different reasons for disturbed sleep.

If sleep apnea is suspected, the sleep medicine specialist will need to perform a sleep study. This usually means going to a sleep center, where tests are done while you sleep. This test is called polysomnography, which records a variety of body functions during sleep. These recordings can sometimes be done at home.

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