What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?
The symptoms of sleep apnea are more likely to be noticed by the partner than by the person with sleep apnea. It is usually indicated by snoring and accompanied pauses in breathing which may last between 10 – 60 seconds. Each pause ends with a very deep gasping or snoring noise and a brief awakening as the person struggles to breathe. Mostly these brief arousals are not remembered, but some may remember waking with the sensation of choking.
Often the person with untreated sleep apnea wakes up feeling like they are hungover, possibly with a headache, a dry mouth and a sore throat. The daytime sleepiness that may result from poor quality sleep can give rise to difficulty in concentrating and functioning during the day, forgetfulness, irritability, anxiety, depression and other personality changes. It can also have dangerous consequences if you fall asleep or lose concentration while driving or using heavy machinery. Research has shown that people with sleep apnea are 2 – 5 times more likely to have a motor vehicle accident.
Other symptoms that can occur in untreated sleep apnea are impotence or reduced libido, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, excessive perspiration during sleep, increased frequency of urination at night and a dry mouth and sore throat upon awakening.
Who gets sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea can occur in people of all ages. It is most common, though, in middle aged males who are overweight, particularly with excessive fatty tissue around the neck. In people who are not overweight, it is likely that they have been born with a narrow airway or a facial structure which leads to a narrow airway. The incidence of sleep apnea in women increases after menopause. In childhood, apnea most commonly occurs as a result of enlarged tonsils or adenoids, or from some facial bone abnormality.
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