Signs of Sleep Apnea You Should Not Ignore

The most common signs of sleep apnea are loud habitual snoring, gasping or choking awakenings, pauses in breathing that a partner notices, morning headaches, and feeling exhausted during the day even after a full night in bed.

Nighttime signs

Often reported by a bed partner: loud snoring, silent pauses followed by a gasp, restless sleep, and frequent trips to the bathroom. The person sleeping may not be aware of any of it.

Daytime signs

Untreated apnea shows up as persistent sleepiness, trouble concentrating, irritability, and waking up unrefreshed. Morning headaches and a dry or sore throat are also common.

Why it matters

Sleep apnea is more than an inconvenience. Over time it is linked to broader health strain. The encouraging part is that it is very treatable once identified.

What to do next

If several of these signs sound familiar, the next step is a proper evaluation, which may include a sleep study ordered by a physician. Depending on the cause, care may involve a sleep physician, a dentist for an oral appliance, an ENT for nasal or throat obstruction, or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for jaw-related cases. See the sleep apnea care team for who does what. A closed-loop sleep apnea platform is designed so you do not fall through the cracks, and for some mild-to-moderate cases the HYPNARA palatal implant is one targeted approach.

This article is educational and not medical advice. Talk to a qualified clinician about your situation.