Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

People with obstructive sleep apnea breathe repeatedly stop-and-start throughout the night. This choking causes the heart to work overtime, which can wear out the body and brain. Symptoms include excessive tiredness during the day and snoring.

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when muscles in the throat relax, causing the airway to collapse and block oxygen from getting into the lungs. This choking can happen hundreds of times per hour. The brain notices this, and sends a wake-up call to get the breathing going again. Many people with obstructive sleep apnea have a throat that is naturally narrow or the tonsils and adenoids are enlarged. People who smoke or are overweight are at greater risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea.

Common Signs of Sleep Apnea You Shouldn’t Ignore

Central sleep apnea is less common but is still a problem for thousands of people. The problem occurs when the brain stops sending proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. This can also be a problem for those with high blood pressure, chronic nasal congestion, diabetes, or heart disease.

Signs of sleep apnea will refer patients to a specialist sleep clinic who may ask the patient to stay overnight at the clinic for an evaluation. The test can measure things like blood oxygen levels, breathing patterns and heart rate. There are also portable tests that can be used at home. These can measure things such as a person’s heart rate, blood oxygen level, and airflow, and provide information about their sleep apnea.