What are the Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that causes episodes of interrupted breathing during sleep, leading to severe sleep deprivation. It is estimated that approximately 18% of adults suffer from sleep apnea. This condition leads to frequent awakening, lowered quality of life, increased risk of motor vehicle accidents, and work-related accidents, as well as poor health.

Yet, despite the prevalence and serious effects of sleep apnea in Las Vegas, many people who are affected are not even aware that they have this condition.

So, here are the common symptoms of sleep apnea.

• Excessive snoring

Snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea. In fact, snoring happens when the soft tissue in the throat collapses, and airways collapse during sleep, causing pauses in breathing. The air that passes through and out of the mouth during snoring can also contribute to loud noise that may disturb sleepers.

• Waking up abruptly at night gasping or choking

People with sleep apnea often wake from sleep abruptly in an attempt to relieve the choking sensation that they feel during sleep. In fact, the throat muscles relax during sleep, which leads to air being moved through the airways and out of the mouth and nose. However, in people with sleep apnea, this passage is often blocked and makes it harder to breathe, leading to choking or gasping at night.

• Waking up with a dry mouth

Dry mouth is a common side effect of sleep apnea. This occurs as a result of the lack of oxygen during sleep. The lack of oxygen can also cause impaired mental capabilities, leading to confusion and difficulty in carrying out tasks or remembering instructions or events that have happened recently.

• Headaches in the morning

A headache is a common symptom of sleep apnea. This is because when air passes through the airways during sleep, pressure changes occur that trigger a pain sensation in the brain. Sleep apnea can cause narrowed airways and reduced oxygen, which triggers headaches and other symptoms.

• Chronic fatigue

Fatigue is a common complaint among people who have sleep apnea. Chronic fatigue can lead to reduced quality of life, and may even lead to depression.

• Waking up exhausted

There are times when people with sleep apnea wake up exhausted. This usually happens when airways are blocked while sleeping, leading to oxygen starvation and restlessness that lasts late into the night.