Sleep Apnea Symptoms

Although your sleep apnea occurs while you sleep, there are many symptoms you might notice during the day. These include:

  • Waking up feeling unrested
  • Daytime sleepiness
  • Dozing off at work or while driving
  • Morning headaches
  • Dry mouth in the morning
  • Difficulty staying asleep
  • Nocturia (waking up to urinate at night)
  • Depression
  • Irritability or moodiness
  • Weight gain
  • Memory problems
  • Lack of energy or interest
  • Nightmares

In addition, anyone who sleeps in the bed, room, or house with you might notice (and complain about):

  • Snoring
  • Choking or gasping during sleep
  • Teeth grinding or clenching
  • Restless sleep

Many people are diagnosed with medical conditions related to sleep apnea without knowing it.

A diagnosis of one or more of the following should make you talk to a doctor about sleep apnea:

  • High blood pressure (especially if it doesn’t respond to medication)
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Depression
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Low Testosterone
  • Migraines

Your doctor may or may not connect your symptoms to sleep apnea. If they don’t you should ask about the condition.

Sleep Apnea Diagnosis

exhausted adult woman holding her head at her work desk

Part of the reason many people have their sleep apnea overlooked or misdiagnosed is that the symptoms of the condition might overlap with other conditions. Your doctor might use a sleep apnea screening test to hone in on some of the most important symptoms.

However, a sleep test is the only way to diagnose sleep apnea. A sleep test monitors your breathing, heart, oxygen saturation, and more during sleep. It will identify whether you have sleep apnea and how serious it is. Sleep apnea is divided into three categories depending on how many apneas you have per hour:

  • Mild sleep apnea: 5-14 apneas per hour
  • Moderate sleep apnea: 15-29 apneas per hour
  • Severe sleep apnea: 30 or more apneas per hour

The severity of your sleep apnea can limit your treatment options.

In the past, a sleep test had to be done at a sleep lab. However, new take-home sleep tests are often just as accurate. Most people can test for sleep apnea in the comfort and familiarity of their own bed.

Do You Have Sleep Apnea in Columbus?

Dr. Mike can help people who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea or suspect they might have the condition. He can help you arrange a sleep test, whether you are looking for an at-home or in-lab sleep test.

To learn more about diagnosing sleep apnea in Columbus, please call (614) 683-4640 today for a free consultation at Firouzian Sleep Wellness.