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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

The signs and symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas overlap, sometimes making the type of sleep apnea more difficult to determine. The most common signs and symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas include:

  • Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia)
  • Loud snoring, which is usually more prominent in obstructive sleep apnea
  • Observed episodes of breathing cessation during sleep
  • Abrupt awakenings accompanied by shortness of breath, which more likely indicates central sleep apnea
  • Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat
  • Morning headache
  • Difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)

When to see a doctor
Consult a medical professional if you experience, or if your partner observes, the following:

  • Snoring loud enough to disturb the sleep of others or yourself
  • Shortness of breath that awakens you from sleep
  • Intermittent pauses in your breathing during sleep
  • Excessive daytime drowsiness, which may cause you to fall asleep while you're working, watching television or even driving

Many people don't think of snoring as a sign of something potentially serious, and not everyone who has sleep apnea snores. But be sure to talk to your doctor if you experience loud snoring, especially snoring that's punctuated by periods of silence.

Ask your doctor about any sleep problem that leaves you chronically fatigued, sleepy and irritable. Excessive daytime drowsiness (hypersomnia) may be due to other disorders, such as narcolepsy.

Causes Definition
References
  1. What is sleep apnea? National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/sleep_apnea/sleep_apnea.htm. Accessed April 1, 2010.
  2. What are the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/SleepApnea/SleepApnea_Signs.html. Accessed April 1, 2010.
  3. Kline LR. Clinical presentation and diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  4. What is sleep apnea? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/SleepApnea/SleepApnea_WhatIs.html. Accessed April 1, 2010.
  5. Badr MS. Central sleep apnea syndrome: Risk factors, clinical presentation, and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 13, 2010.
  6. Who is at risk for sleep apnea? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/SleepApnea/SleepApnea_WhoIsAtRisk.html. Accessed April 1, 2010.
  7. Feinsilver SH. Sleep apnea in the elderly. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
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  9. Culebras A. Sleep related breathing disorders and stroke. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  10. Punjabi NM, et al. Sleep-disordered breathing and mortality: A prospective cohort study. PLoS Medicine. 2009;6:e1000132. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2722083/pdf/pmed.1000132.pdf. Accessed March 31, 2010.
  11. In brief: Your guide to healthy sleep. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/sleep/healthy_sleep.pdf. Accessed April 1, 2010.
  12. 12. Brain basics: Understanding sleep. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/understanding_sleep.htm. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  13. Treatment options for adults with obstructive sleep apnea. American Sleep Apnea Association. http://www.sleepapnea.org/resources/pubs/treatment.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  14. Suzuki M, et al. Arousals in obstructive sleep apnea patients with laryngopharyngeal and gastroesophageal reflux. Sleep Medicine. 2010;11:e356-360. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6W6N-4YK8MJY-2&_user=130561&_coverDate=04%2F30%2F2010&_rdoc=8&_fmt=high&_orig=browse&_srch=doc-info(%23toc%236603%232010%23999889995%231805742%23FLA%23display%23Volume)&_cdi=6603&_sort=d&_docanchor=&_ct=23&_acct=C000010878&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=130561&md5=72b6fee84cfca855367469db358343a5. Accessed April 1, 2010.
  15. Understanding sleep apnea: Know all of the facts. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.sleepeducation.com/ArticlePrinterFriendly.aspx?id=21&DType=0. Accessed April 10, 2010.
  16. How is sleep apnea treated? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/SleepApnea/SleepApnea_Treatments.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  17. Kryger MH. Management of obstructive sleep apnea in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  18. Considering surgery for OSA? American Sleep Apnea Association. http://www.sleepapnea.org/resources/pubs/osa.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  19. Badr MS. Central sleep apnea syndrome: Treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 2, 2010.
  20. Freire AO, et al. Treatment of moderate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with acupuncture: A randomised, placebo-controlled pilot trial. Sleep Medicine. 2007;8:43.
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  22. Redolfi S, et al. Relationship between overnight rostral fluid shift and obstructive sleep apnea in nonobese men. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2009;179:241.
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DS00148 June 29, 2010

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