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Symptoms
In obstructive sleep apnea, the airways close during sleep. This can lead to loud snoring and lapses in breathing that can occur hundreds of times a night. Many people with OSA are not aware that they have a sleep disorder, and can snore, choke, and wake up over and over without ever being aware of it. A family member or bed partner often notices a person's poor sleep and their daytime symptoms.
 
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American Sleep Apnea Association(ASAA): This site is a source of information and a community for sufferers of sleep apnea. ASAA hosts a forum with live chats, a geographical listing of support groups in the U.S. and Canada and specific guidance for parents with children who have the disease. |
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MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Find an extended definition of sleep apnea in this medical encyclopedia provided by the National Institutes of Health. MedlinePlus provides a separate directory of links to sleep apnea news, diagnosis, treatment, and research from government agencies and associations.
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National Sleep Foundation (NSF): After explaining the basics of sleep apnea, the NSF's "Sleeptionary" features sections on coping and links to articles. NSF also covers symptoms and treatment of sleep apnea in children. |
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National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI): NHLBI, part of the National Institutes of Health, includes sections on the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of sleep apnea. It outlines who is at risk, how to live with the condition, and how to help those who may have it. |
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ClinicalTrials.gov: The National Institutes of Health maintains this research database of federally and privately supported clinical trials. It includes the purpose, eligibility criteria, and location for each study. |
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SleepEducation.com: The American Academy of Sleep Medicine offers tools for evaluating sleep, including a true-false questionnaire and a sample sleep diary. The sleep apnea page walks patients through a series of points to help determine if they have sleep apnea, whether they need to see a sleep specialist, what to tell their doctor, and how their condition may be treated. Don't overlook additional resources, such as sleep apnea case studies or suggestions for sleep hygiene. |
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The frequent interruptions of restorative sleep caused by sleep apnea can result in excessive daytime sleepiness and, in some cases, an early morning headache. Left untreated, sleep apnea may lead to serious medical problems. These include an irregular heart rate, heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure, and stroke.
Children with sleep apnea, on the other hand, may become hyperactive, rather than sleepy, during the day. This can cause problems with performance at school.
Like people with obstructive sleep apnea, those with central sleep apnea may also sleep poorly, and be sleepy during the day.
The symptoms below can indicate many sleep disorders. If you experience one or more of these symptoms, discuss your sleeping problems or concerns with your healthcare provider:
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Excessive sleepiness or fatigue during the day.
- Difficulty sleeping, including trouble falling asleep, waking frequently during the night, waking too early and not being able to fall back asleep, or waking unrefreshed.
- Loud snoring.
- Pauses in breathing or gasping for breath during sleep, as reported by others.
- Difficulty concentrating or memory problems.
- Irritability or depression.
- Morning headaches.
- Nighttime leg discomfort or movement of your arms or legs while sleeping.
- Weakness or loss of muscle strength, often in response to a strong emotion.
- Sleepwalking or sleep talking.
- Hypertension, or high blood pressure.
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