Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Loud snoring
• Observed episodes of stopped breathing during sleep
• Abrupt awakenings accompanied by gasping or choking
• Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat
• Morning headache
• Difficulty concentrating during the day
• Mood changes, such as depression or irritability
• High blood pressure
• Decreased libido

When to see a doctor

Consult a medical professional if you have, or if your partner observes, the following:

• Snoring loud enough to disturb your sleep or that of others
• Waking up gasping or choking
• Pausing in your breathing during sleep
• Having excessive daytime drowsiness, which may cause you to fall asleep while working, watching television or even driving a vehicle

Snoring doesn't necessarily indicate something potentially serious, and not everyone who snores has obstructive sleep apnea.

Be sure to talk to your doctor if you snore loudly, especially if your snoring is interrupted by periods of silence. With obstructive sleep apnea, snoring usually is loudest when you sleep on your back, and it quiets when you turn on your side.

Ask your doctor about any sleep problem that leaves you chronically fatigued, sleepy and irritable. Excessive daytime drowsiness may be due to other disorders, such as narcolepsy.