Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

What are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

The symptoms of sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apneas (OSA) often overlap, thus making it difficult for the sleep specialist to diagnose which type of sleep apnea a patient is suffering from. Here are some observable symptoms that affect patients suffering from both sleep apnea and OSA:

• Loud snoring, which is more perceptible in case of OSA
• The uneven breathing patterns usually observed by someone else.
• Abrupt interruptions in sleep accompanied by breathlessness, which indicates sleep apnea
• Dry mouth or a sore throat after waking up
• Morning headaches
• Insomnia
• Excessive drowsiness during daytime
• Learning problems
• Attention deficiency syndrome
• Irritability

Children suffering from sleep apnea or OSA can display hyperactivity, slow learning in school, or hostile behavior. Children who have sleep apnea tend to breathe through their mouths instead of their noses.

Consulting a Doctor

An individual must consult a medical professional if he or she experiences either of the following symptoms:

• Loud snoring observed by others
• Shortness of breath, gasping or choking
• Irregular breathing cycles
• Excessive daytime drowsiness, making it difficult to function

Generally, if a patient snores loudly and suffers frequent breathlessness, should consult a Sleep specialist or ENT Specialist who can determine the presence of sleep apnea from observed symptoms or family history. This doctor can recommend a home study test or a PSG for further investigation. The doctor can even recommend a sleep specialist. It is always better to first consult a general doctor to eliminate the possibility of other health problems which have similar symptoms.

Many times hyperactivity, drowsiness, or fatigue caused by other health problems can be confused with a sleep apnea condition.