Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that affects one’s breathing pattern while they are asleep. There is a constant disruption in the breathing pattern while one is asleep, leading to their breathing stopping and starting abruptly. Also, individuals suffering from sleep apnea often feel tired throughout the day despite getting a full night’s sleep. Before we move on to understand the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea, let’s look at the different types of the condition:
- Obstructive sleep apnea: The most common type of the condition, it occurs when the throat muscles are relaxed.
- Central sleep apnea: This type occurs when the signal transmission between the brain and muscles that control breathing is interrupted.
- Complex sleep apnea syndrome: This type is a combination of both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea and is also called Treatment-Emergent Central Sleep Apnea (TECSA).
In case one is suffering from any of the above types of sleep apnea, they should consult a doctor immediately. If the condition is left untreated, it can lead to severe health hazards like heart problems, diabetes, stroke, and other life-threatening conditions. Medical help, on the other hand, can ease the symptoms and improve the quality of sleep.
1. Signs and symptoms of sleep apnea in adults
This condition does not affect people in a particular age group and can affect anyone from a toddler to an adult. The signs and symptoms of sleep apnea, however, manifest slightly differently in people of different ages. Common symptoms in adults include:
- Loud snoring
- Gasping for breath during sleep
- Irritation and mood swings
- Bed partner complaining about loud snores with interrupted breathing pattern
- Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Waking up choked
- Suffering from insomnia or lack of sleep
- Waking up with morning headaches
- Disinterest in sex and experiencing sexual dysfunction
- Unable to pay attention, concentrate, or remember things while awake
- Feeling tired and sleepy during the day (hypersomnia)
- Waking up to use the bathroom often
- Sleepiness while driving
2. Common sleep apnea symptoms in children include
According to studies, 10 to 20 percent of children who snore may suffer from sleep apnea. If children do not receive treatment for the condition, several other complications like learning, behavioral, and adaptive issues could develop. Also, these are all linked to the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The following are some signs and symptoms to look out for in children suffering from sleep apnea:
- Lack of attention or a very short attention span
- Bad grades and poor performance levels at school
- Difficulty in learning
- Loud snoring
- Breathing through mouth while asleep
- Interrupted breathing patterns
- Bedwetting
- Feeling excessively sleepy during the day
3. Symptoms in toddlers
If a toddler is affected by this disorder, one should keep an eye out for the following symptoms:
- Constantly pausing breaths
- Difficulty breathing
- Snoring
- Restlessness
- Continuous coughing or choking
- Profuse sweating
- Cranky and frustrating behavior
- Improper sleep patterns
- Slow growth in relation to ideal weight and height