Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Sleep apnea affects over 5 million Canadians and is very common throughout the world, but often goes undiagnosed. Normally, people who are diagnosed with sleep apnea find out that they have the condition because their bed partner notices them snoring excessively or stop breathing during the night. If you are constantly tired and lack energy, you may be experiencing the effects of sleep apnea.

Other common symptoms include:

Loud snoring
Choking or gasping during sleep
Extreme sleepiness during the day
Fatigue
Morning headaches
High blood pressure
Inability to concentrate
Memory loss
Lack of motivation
Depression
Frequent night urination
Nighttime sweating
Decreased libido

While loud snoring is a classic sign for sleep apnea, not all patients with sleep apnea will present with snoring as a primary sign. Women in particular, may be more likely to complain of difficulty sleeping, fatigue and depression rather than snoring or witnessed apneas.

Risk Factors

Some Factors that may make someone more susceptible to sleep apnea are:

A bod mass index (BMI) of greater than 30 and/or upper body obesity
Large neck size ( 17 inches for me, 16 inches for women)
Men
Postmenopausal women
Abnormalities of the upper jaw, which may include small jaw or a large tongue
Family history of sleep apnea
Shift work
Motor vehicle accident
High blood Pressure
Age

When to See a Doctor

It is important to know that if you are experiencing any of these symptoms and are concerned, please see your doctor. Sleep apnea may seem mild to many people, but over time, it can increase your risk of:

High blood pressure
Daytime fatigue and exhaustion
Heart problems
Type 2 diabetes
Metabolic syndrome
Liver problems
Sleep deprived partners due to snoring
Surgery complications

Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition and should be treated like one, so if you think you need to be tested, be sure to reach out to your doctor to get a consultation today.