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Symptoms of sleep apnoea

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Symptoms of sleep apnoea include:

  • Loud snoring.
  • Waking up still tired and groggy, and struggling to stay awake during the day.
  • Waking up with headaches.
  • Waking up feeling a choking sensation.
  • Gasping or holding your breath during sleep.
  • Waking up sweating and perspiring excessively during sleep.
  • Frequent stopping of breathing during sleep.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Frequently waking at night to urinate (nocturia).
  • Overweight (sometimes) and/or experiencing rapid weight gain. Most people with obstructive sleep apnoea are overweight. This is because the repeat drop in blood oxygen causes the suppression of a chemical called leptin and the increase of a chemical called ghrelin. This combination causes an increase in weight. When this happens, it’s very difficult or impossible to lose weight.
  • Dry mouth upon awakening.
  • Depression.
  • Difficulty concentrating during the day.
  • Several trips to the bathroom during the night.
  • Heartburn.
  • Reduced libido.
  • Insomnia. As many as 58% of people with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) also have insomnia. Memory problems frequently occur and there’s a seven times raised risk for motor-vehicle accidents in these people. Legally, they should not be behind the wheel of a car. The mood changes aren’t just depression. People with OSA become highly irritable, and it can cause marital break-ups. The memory problems can be so severe as to mimic Alzheimer's disease.
  • Many people consider OSA to be the most important cause of the metabolic syndrome.

Reviewed by Dr Irshaad Ebrahim, specialist neuropsychiatrist in sleep disorders at The London Sleep Centre and The Constantia Sleep Centre. FRCPsych. April 2018.

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