Symptoms of Sleep Apnea Recognizing the Signs

Restorative sleep is important for one’s health, but for millions across the globe, getting a good night’s rest is hindered by a condition called sleep apnea. This disorder is marked by insufficient or disrupted breathing during sleep. It is, however, not well understood and often remains undiagnosed. While sleep apnea might be recognizable to a lot of people, the signs and symptoms associated with it are oftentimes very subtle or easily confused with other problems, making early diagnosis very challenging yet essential.

Why Sleep Apnea Symptoms Are Important To Recognize

The symptoms of sleep apnea goes beyond sleep disturbance; it affects almost every area of one’s physical and mental health functions. There are a number of sleep-related and neurocognitive issues associated with this condition, including chronic fatigue and cardiovascular problems. Therefore, it becomes important for individuals to address the symptoms at the earliest opportunity.

Plenty of people with sleep apnea go undiagnosed because they do not know what symptoms they might be exhibiting at night. Usually, it is a partner or relative who first spots the red flags. Knowing the entire spectrum of the symptoms offers a chance for earlier diagnosis and treatment which in turn boosts one’s quality of life immensely.  

Primary Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

1. Snoring Loudly And Consistently Forth :- Snoring is one of the most widely recognized indicators of sleep apnea. While snoring does not mean someone suffers from sleep apnea, persistent and loud snoring especially accompanied with choking or gasping sounds is a very strong pointer towards the disorder.  During snoring, the airflow is partially blocked that occurs in the upper airway region of the body. In obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), this blockage gets so bad that it leads to breathing temporarily coming to a stop resulting in loud snorting or gasping sounds as the airflow is restarted. 
2. Choking or Gasps of Air During Sleep :- This condition involves various episodes where breathing ceases for a short period of time, seconds to a few minutes and in some cases even a full minute. After this period, when breathing resumes, it is often accompanied by a gasp, snort, and sometimes chokes. All of this happens dozens or hundreds of times during the night. With all this happening autonomously, most sleepers have zero recollection of such events.  This repetitive cycle places stress on your heart while also disrupting the natural rhythm and flow of sleep.
3. . Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (Hypersomnia) :- Due to fragmented sleep caused by sleep apnea, many individuals suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness. Along with impaired attention at work or school, it may also increase the likelihood of driving accidents and decrease productivity. It could be an indication of your sleep environment requiring some adjustments if you often find yourself feeling drowsy despite spending a full night in bed.
4.  Morning Headaches :- These headaches stem from oxygen deprivation due to interrupted breathing during the night. While there are many everyday headaches that many individuals experience, those experiencing sleep apnea also have the tendency to deal with frequent morning headaches as well.  This kind of pain is described as a dull ache located around the temples or the back of the head resulting in gradual relief after a few hours upon waking.
5. Dry Mouth or Sore Throat Upon Waking :- Due to breathing through the mouth, a common practice among people with sleep apnea, there is an increased likelihood to wake up with a sore throat or dry mouth. Gasps and snores lead to the throat drying out the surrounding tissues which is why individuals suffering from sleep apnea wake with a dry mouth or a sore throat.Waking up often at night with a need to hydrate is also a symptom of this problem.
6. . Difficulty Focused Attention or Amnesia :- Sleep apnea limits the brain’s ability to achieve the critical and healing phases of sleep known as deep sleep. Many individuals experiencing apnea tend to have these cognitive issues: 
   • Low attention span
   • Memory loss
   • Inability to think or reason 
   • Delayed response

   These cognitive issues can hinder execution of duties in the work place or school, only to be misdiagnosed as ADHD or depression sometimes.

7. . Changes to Mood Patterns and Increased Irritability :- Quality sleep is vital for maintaining one’s emotional well being. People suffering from sleep apnea tend to feel emotionally disordered, experiencing anxiety or low moods often. These changes in mood cannot be fully attributed to simply feeling tired and instead stem from severe sleep deprivation and interrupted REM cycles.In the long run, sleep apnea that remains untreated can lead to the development of serious mental health issues.
8. Enhanced Urge for Nighttime Urination (Nocturia) :- This issue linked with sleep apnea is waking up multiple times in the night to urinate. Associated with sleep apnea, the condition nocturia is characterized by waking during the night to void urine. Due to apneic episodes, the body’s oxygen levels and ANP levels drop which triggers urination.Prostate complications or other urinary conditions may be misdiagnosed in older patients as well. 
9. Insomnia And Restless Sleep :- Individuals struggling with sleep apnea may experience restlessness or an inability to get quality rest. As a result, people tend to wake up quite a bit, and when they do, it’s very difficult to go back to sleep. This cycle leads to additional sleep problems coupled with fatigue throughout the day. 

But There Are Other Meritorious Symptoms

Apart from the major warning signs, there are other symptoms suggesting the presence of sleep apnea, especially in certain populations:  

• Reduced libido or sexual performance  
• Excessive perspiration during sleep  
• Hypopnea in sleep apnea and positioned short of breath  
• Rare sleep postures, such as sitting vertically  
• For the children, other symptoms may consist of:  
• Bowel control issues (bedwetting)  
• Increased physical activity (hyperactivity)  
• Difficulties with academic performance (learning)  
• Stunted growth  

The symptoms are relatively more serious when there are co-existing signs and therefore should not be overlooked.

When to See a Doctor

Recognizing these symptoms, whether it be for oneself or within a close relation, necessitates consulting a medical expert. Diagnosis usually follows a sleep study (polysomnography), which can be done in specialized labs or in the home using portable monitors. Thereafter, various treatment options including lifestyle interventions, CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy, dental appliances, and in some cases, even surgery can be administered.  

Conclusion

The misconception that sleep apnea is simply excessive snoring or tiredness arose as a side effect, leads many to ignore the fact that sleep apnea is a serious health issue one that can profoundly affect your heart, brain, and emotions. Thankfully, diagnosing sleep apnea can dramatically enhance one’s energy, mood, and overall health.  

Recognizing symptoms of sleep apnea provides an individual the power to reclaim control of their health and sleep, while transforming the quality of their life. Don’t hesitate to contact a doctor or sleep specialist if you experience such signs and take the first step towards a restful life.