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Sleep is a sacred part of our daily routine. It’s meant to be a time to rest, dream, and recharge for the next day. So, what happens when that precious process is interrupted? Patients who suffer from sleep apnea can experience a wide range of symptoms both during the night and throughout the day. These symptoms can be confusing and appear insignificant, but they signal a condition that can have serious impacts on your future health, as well as your daily life. Studies show that somewhere between 9% and 38% of Americans have some form of obstructive sleep apnea, which is why it’s crucial to know what symptoms to look out for.
Nighttime symptoms
As the name suggests, sleep apnea episodes happen during the night, which can make things complicated for patients who sleep through their symptoms or don’t have a sleep partner to alert them to the signs. So, what are the most common nighttime symptoms of sleep apnea?
Insomnia
The inability to fall asleep or stay asleep throughout the night is one of the most common and troublesome symptoms of sleep apnea. According to one study, 29% of patients with obstructive sleep apnea reported chronic insomnia. Depending on the severity of the condition, people who struggle with OSA can have several apnea episodes an hour, some even every two minutes. These frequent events can make it nearly impossible to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Snoring & respiratory issues
Loud snoring is another tell-tale sign of OSA. Snoring, choking, and gasping in your sleep are all common symptoms of OSA, but may not be present in patients with central sleep apnea. The easiest way to identify this is for a sleep partner to notice unusual sounds or repeated pauses in breathing.
Read more: What causes snoring?
Nocturia
While you may not expect frequent urination to be a side effect of sleep apnea, nocturia is reported by many patients. According to sleep specialist Dr. Guy Leschziner, patients “often get up at night to pass urine repeatedly because obstructive sleep apnea influences how much urine your kidneys produce at night.” Interestingly, nocturia is also more common in female patients, with 60% reporting frequent urination, compared to only 35% of males.
Acid reflux
Acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux (GER), is another lesser-known symptom of sleep apnea. GER occurs when stomach acid flows up into the oesophagus, commonly known as heartburn. While you may associate it with overeating or stomach problems, it can also be caused by sleep apnea, as pressure changes in the chest force stomach acid upwards.
Daytime symptoms
Sleep apnea is a nighttime condition, but its effects can stretch into the next day and beyond. Due to how complex and important sleep is to our health, the absence of a good night’s rest can interrupt our waking world.
Hypersomnia
Excessive daytime sleepiness, known as hypersomnia, is one of the most frustrating symptoms of both OSA and CSA. It may not seem like a serious symptom, but daytime drowsiness can be more than a nuisance, putting you at risk of an accident when you’re less alert.
Read more: Most common causes of daytime sleepiness
Headache
Morning headaches are another symptom you may not associate with sleep apnea. These annoying aches are caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain during sleep, causing blood vessels to dilate and cause pain.
Dry mouth & sore throat
Dry mouth and sore throat upon waking are classic signs of obstructive sleep apnea, signalling that you have been open-mouth breathing during your sleep, or even choking.
Mental changes
Sleep apnea doesn’t just take a physical toll, but a mental one as well. Daytime drowsiness can cause not only brain fog or trouble concentrating, but it has even been linked to mood disorders, with 14% of patients reporting experiencing depression, compared to only 7% in those without sleep apnea.
Wondering if sleep apnea is affecting you? Take a few seconds to check out the Dumbo Health Sleep Quiz, and with a few simple questions, you can begin your treatment journey today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common sleep apnea symptoms?
The most common sleep apnea symptoms include loud, chronic snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep, gasping or choking at night, frequent awakenings, morning headaches, daytime sleepiness, dry mouth, and brain fog.
How do I know if I might have sleep apnea?
If you snore loudly, wake up gasping, feel tired even after a full night’s sleep, or have morning headaches, you may have sleep apnea. A bed partner may notice pauses in your breathing — this is one of the strongest clues.
Can sleep apnea cause mental health problems?
Yes. Studies show that untreated sleep apnea is linked to higher rates of depression and anxiety. Poor sleep and low oxygen levels can affect brain chemistry, increasing the risk of mood disorders.
Can sleep apnea symptoms be mistaken for other conditions?
Yes. Sleep apnea is sometimes mistaken for chronic insomnia, stress, or even depression alone. If you have several symptoms at once, such as snoring, fatigue, and headaches, a sleep study can clarify the cause.
When should I see a doctor for sleep apnea symptoms?
You should talk to a doctor if you have loud snoring, witness breathing pauses, wake up choking or gasping, or feel constantly tired despite getting enough sleep. Early diagnosis can prevent complications like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.
Wondering if sleep apnea is affecting you? Take a few seconds to check out the Dumbo Health Sleep Quiz, and with a few simple questions, you can begin your treatment journey today.
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