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Sleep Apnea Symptoms

People with sleep apnea often experience disrupted sleep patterns due to pauses in breathing during sleep. There are different types of sleep apnea, including obstructive sleep apnea, where the upper airway becomes blocked, and central sleep apnea, where the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe. Symptoms can range from mild to serious, with some people even experiencing episodes of not breathing for up to 90 seconds. Repeated nightly disruptions can cause you to wake up frequently, leading to daytime sleepiness that persists throughout the day. Aside from affecting your sleep, sleep apnea may also cause breathing problems, strain on your heart and lungs, and elevated blood pressure.

Learn more about sleep apnea symptoms and factors and how they can affect your lifestyle.

What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

There are many sleep apnea symptoms. Ask yourself if you have the following:

  • Frequent stops in breathing during sleep
  • Non-refreshing sleep, very sleepy during the day
  • Loud snoring
  • High blood pressure
  • Headaches in the morning
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Nighttime sweats
  • Low libido

These symptoms may be signs of sleep apnea. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about any of the above symptoms.

What Are the Possible Side Effects?

Sleep apnea can affect your daily life and can cause many side effects due to a lack of proper sleep. If you have sleep apnea, you might experience one or more of the following:

  • Depression
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Excessive perspiring during sleep
  • Frequent trips to the bathroom at night
  • Heartburn
  • Increased irritability
  • Insomnia
  • Less able to handle stress
  • Low energy level
  • Morning headaches
  • Low libido
  • Short-term memory loss

How Can Sleep Apnea Affect My Lifestyle?

When you don’t get enough sleep, it can start to affect your mood and other aspects of your health. Sleep apnea can have many consequences for your safety and health, including interruptions in breathing when the airway narrows, leading to:

  • Accidents due to sleepiness
  • Heart attacks
  • Heart disease
  • Heart failure
  • High blood pressure
  • Impotence
  • Stroke

Our sleep medicine specialists are here to help you take control of your sleep apnea and get the night’s rest you need. Talk to your doctor today if you suspect you or a loved one may have sleep apnea.

If you suspect you have sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend a sleep study. This diagnostic test monitors your breathing patterns, heart rate and oxygen levels during sleep to determine if you have sleep apnea.