Do You Have Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Do You Have Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Do you wake up in the morning with a headache and feel just as tired as you did when you went to bed? Has your spouse moved to another room or made you sleep on the couch due to your persistent snoring, gasping, and choking every night?

If so, you may have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) — a chronic condition where the upper airway collapses, interrupting your breathing and depriving you of oxygen until you wake up and resume breathing. Sleep apnea is estimated to affect more than 18 million American adults, though some argue the number is much higher.

Key Signs of Sleep Apnea: Snoring, Gasping, Sleepiness

Three major warning signs of obstructive sleep apnea include:

• Loud, persistent snoring
• Pauses in breathing, often followed by gasping for air while sleeping
• Excessive daytime sleepiness

Like snoring, the most definitive sign of sleep apnea — waking up to breathe — is usually witnessed by a bed partner. People with sleep apnea often wake up unknowingly for a few seconds to gasp for air. For many sleep apnea sufferers, this can happen hundreds of times a night.

Sleep specialists use the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) to measure daytime sleepiness. People with extreme sleep apnea are likely to doze off in situations where you would normally stay awake, like driving, sitting in church, or reading. However, moderate daytime sleepiness, such as the desire to take an afternoon nap, doesn’t necessarily mean you have obstructive sleep apnea.

Additional Symptoms: Mouth Breathing and Frequent Nightly Urination

If you wake up in the morning with a very dry mouth, irritated throat, and gummy front teeth, it may also be a sign of sleep apnea. People with obstructive sleep apnea tend to sleep with their mouths open as the body's self-defense mechanism to bring more air to the lungs. With treatment using Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) devices — the gold standard for treating sleep apnea — patients tend to keep their mouths closed during sleep.

A lesser-known common symptom of sleep apnea is waking up frequently with the urge to urinate. When a person’s breathing is disrupted, it puts pressure on the heart, which then affects a hormone that normally controls urine production in the kidneys. Once sleep apnea is treated with CPAP, the frequent urge to urinate decreases significantly.

Additional Indicators

Other indicators of sleep apnea may include mood changes or irritability, depression, or problems concentrating. While these traits can appear in OSA patients, they aren’t particularly good diagnostic indicators.

If you suspect you have obstructive sleep apnea, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare provider. Proper diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve your quality of life.