7 Signs You Might Have Sleep Apnea

Medically Reviewed By Meir Kryger, MD, FRCP(C)

Sleep apnea disrupts your breathing as you sleep. The condition can cause loud snoring, gasping during sleep, and excessive fatigue. Left untreated, sleep apnea may increase the risk of problems, including cardiovascular issues and complications related to excessive sleepiness. Your doctor can help you develop a treatment plan to manage the condition and improve your quality of life.

This article discusses seven signs that may mean you have sleep apnea. It also covers treatments for the condition.

1. Snoring loudly

An adult female sleeping in her bed
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People with obstructive sleep apnea, the most common type, often snore loudly. This condition occurs when your airway becomes partially or entirely blocked by tissues in the upper part of the throat during sleep. Because of this, your body has to work harder to push air through your airway, resulting in loud, frequent snores.

While snoring isn’t always an indicator of sleep apnea, bringing up a snoring problem to your doctor can help you determine whether it’s related.

2. Gasping during sleep

When you stop breathing during sleep, your body may respond by gasping for air. These gasps are hard to miss, so a bedmate would likely notice if they occur.

If you learn that you’re gasping, talk with your doctor. Going without oxygen is not only bad for your sleep quality, but it strains your body.

3. Waking up breathless

In sleep apnea, the upper passages of your airway close off, blocking your breathing. When this happens, it may cause you to wake up with a start, out of breath.

While you may not notice your snoring, this abrupt, breathless awakening can also be Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source a sign that you’re experiencing sleep apnea. If this happens regularly, talk with a doctor.

4. Obesity

According to researchers, there is a direct correlation Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source between obesity and obstructive sleep apnea. Carrying extra body weight can cause fat deposits to form around your upper airway, obstructing your breathing once you fall asleep and the muscles around your tongue and throat relax.

Your doctor can determine whether this is happening and create a treatment plan to restore your sleep.

Learn more about 6 health conditions linked to sleep apnea.

5. High blood pressure

Sleep apnea may cause Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source hypertension, or high blood pressure. Throughout sleep, frequent stops in breathing repeatedly deprive your body of oxygen. As this happens, the sudden drop in oxygen levels increases your blood pressure, significantly straining your cardiovascular system.

Your doctor can help you determine whether sleep apnea is contributing to your high blood pressure or to other cardiovascular issues.

6. Chronic fatigue

Sleep interrupted by gasping, snoring, and stirring can make it difficult to wake up rested. People with untreated sleep apnea may not be able to achieve deep sleep.

It could be Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source a sign of sleep apnea if you’re tired all the time. Sleep deprivation can lead to problems with potentially serious consequences, including:

  • inattentiveness
  • irritability
  • a higher likelihood of falling asleep in dangerous situations, such as while driving

7. Waking up with certain symptoms

Waking up with a headache, palpitations, dry mouth, or sore throat could also be a sign of sleep apnea. It’s not unusual Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source for people with the condition to experience headaches upon waking, which are related to the poor quality of sleep and stress put on your body as it struggles for oxygen.

A dry mouth and sore throat can also be post-sleep signs that you were struggling to breathe while you slept. Contact a doctor if you frequently wake up with these or other concerning symptoms.

Learn 3 things to tell your doctor about your sleep apnea.

Treating sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that requires long-term management. This may involve lifestyle changes, medical devices, or surgery.

Lifestyle changes

Certain lifestyle changes may help manage sleep apnea and its related conditions, such as Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source obesity. Your doctor may recommend:

  • eating a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
  • maintaining a moderate weight
  • limiting your alcohol intake
  • quitting smoking if you smoke
  • sleeping on your side
  • avoiding certain medications Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source if possible, including:
    • opiates
    • some antidepressants
    • benzodiazepines

Medical devices

For more severe or chronic sleep apnea, your treatment plan may include machines or devices that help you breathe throughout sleep. For example, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine can gently blow air into your airways through a mask.

Oral appliances like mouthguards may also help Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source keep your mouth and airway open while you sleep.

Learn more about what to expect when trying a new sleep apnea mask.

Surgery

Some people may need surgery to move their jaws or remove tissue that may be interfering with breathing. Implantable devices that stimulate specific nerves in the tongue to keep the airways open may also be Trusted Source JAMA Peer reviewed journal Go to source effective for some people.

Your doctor may only recommend surgical treatment if your condition is severe and other treatments have been ineffective or intolerable.

Read insights from an expert about living with sleep apnea.

Summary

Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that may lead to potentially serious complications, such as excessive fatigue or cardiovascular strain. Managing the condition can help you sleep better and reduce your risk of other health conditions.

Contact a doctor if you’re experiencing signs or symptoms consistent with sleep apnea.

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Medical Reviewer: Meir Kryger, MD, FRCP(C)
Last Review Date: 2023 Aug 1
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