Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Learn How To Cure Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnoea Symptoms

If you've been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), characterized by stoppages in breathing as you sleep, one of the treatments you may be offered is CPAP. The Continuous Positive Airway Pressure treatment is usually the first choice prescribed by many OSA specialists. While it is a successful way to treat OSA, many people have problems with continuing to use it.

Because it requires a mask that fits over the mouth and nose each night while the OSA sufferer sleeps, there are several unwanted side-effects of using it. Many CPAP users report they can only tolerate it for four hours a night. Users complain of facial breakouts due to the straps, eye irritation, runny nose, dry mouth, and sore throats. Because the mask is hooked up to a machine by an attached hose, patients who are more comfortable sleeping on their stomachs may also have trouble. The noise coming from the machine is also problematic to many.

Alternatives

After being diagnosed with OSA, discussing your treatment options with a sleep apnea specialist or sleep apnea dentist is your best bet to avoiding CPAP. And there are several options available.

Oral Appliance Therapy - These are devices that are custom-fitted to minimize OSA and snoring (one of the symptoms of OSA). They are worn like an orthodontic appliance, or mouth guard, and keep the soft tissue from collapsing and blocking your airway. They are also designed to keep your tongue in place and out of the way of your throat. Devices such as SomnoMed MAS, Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP), and many more are highly successful in treating OSA.

Behavioral Therapy - Many patients with OSA may find that simply changing behaviors in their lifestyle can cut down or completely eliminate instances of sleep interruption. Individuals who smoke, consume alcohol on a regular basis, or are overweight may find that giving up these habits or losing weight will help. Improving your diet, avoiding certain antihistamines before bed, or putting a humidifier in your bedroom are also easy improvements.

Medication - Snoring is not necessarily an indication that you have OSA, but it is a symptom. There are herbal medicines that use natural plant enzymes or herbs to help eliminate snoring. These aanti-snoring pillsa reduce congestion and swelling in the nose and throat. When you are able to breathe easier, you are less likely to snore or awake unable to breathe. Other medications include prescribed nose drops or sprays and aromatherapy.

Surgery - Though surgery should be the last resort in treating OSA, this may be the most beneficial treatment for some people. The goal of OSA surgery is to increase the size of the airway. This makes it easier for you to breathe as you sleep without interruption. Different surgical procedures include a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, tongue reduction surgery, or a tracheotomy in severe cases of OSA.

OSA is a potentially dangerous condition. The risks of having an untreated condition may increase your chances of heart attack or stroke. If you believe you may have obstructive sleep apnea, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. QUESTION:
    What are the symptoms of sleep apnoea, asperger and dyspraxia?

    • ANSWER:
      some symptoms of sleep apnea are headache, fatigue

  2. QUESTION:
    What are the symptoms of sleep apnoea?

    • ANSWER:

  3. QUESTION:
    what are the symptoms of sleep apnoea?

    • ANSWER:
      Major symptom is snoring. Often that is the only symptom really noticed. Also feeling sleepy during the day, waking up in the middle of the night with a 'choking' feeling. Waking up with a sore throat often. Waking up feeling like you can't breathe or your are gasping for breath. I have apnea, but use a machine and that has corrected it completely. Start out by finding out if you snore. I didn't believe I even snored at all until my wife recorded it and I could hardly believe it was me! I was convinced I didn't snore at all.

  4. QUESTION:
    Need help. How long should someone with sleep apnoea sleep for?
    Hi. Thanks for reading.
    I've self-diagnosed myself with sleep apnoea as the symptoms and causes seem to match up with me.
    The thing is, however long I sleep for, I get incredibly tired throughout the day, whether I did or didn't have an episode the night before.

    Basically, I'm 14 years old and suffer from sleep apnoea. How long should I sleep for a night?
    Have you got any other advice for me?

    Please help, I can't tolerate falling asleep all the time any longer!

    • ANSWER:
      Get yourself tested for dust mite allergy and chemical sensitivities. You could be reacting to the dust mite or to the many toxic chemicals found in the average conventional mattress. It could be something completely different as well. Those are the obvious two.

      In the meantime, can you get a flow of outside air coming at you while you sleep? That's my trick for the problem (I have both dust mite allergy and chemical sensitivity). I never get sleep apnea when I keep the fresh air flowing, but always get it when sleeping without the fresh air flow.

      My hubby rigged me up what he calls a "fresh air device". It was an old Honeywell air cleaner refurbished. He put a 4 inch wide accordion hose on both ends. One hose hangs out the window, the other gets propped up to blow fresh air at my face while I sleep. Works like a doggone charm and it cost .00 at a garage sale for the air cleaner plus about for the hose. It has saved me thousands and thousands of dollars in lost productivity because when I use it, I awaken feeling restored having avoided the sleep apnea.

  5. QUESTION:
    Why is there a correlation between snoring, heart disease, stroke, hypertension and obstructive sleep apnoea?
    Why docs treat one or other of the symptoms without closer investigation? After all, that's why they go to med school in the first place and to get a more complete diagnosis of their patient's conditions.
    As I've indicated before, I've got hypertension, being treated. But I read a brochure and other stuff that now suggests I've got OSA as well.
    So is it an oversupply and re-breathing CO2 into our blood that causes the problems? And my headaches, too?

    • ANSWER:
      There is a correlation between snoring, heart disease, stroke, hypertension and obstructive sleep apnoea because they are all diseases with overlapping signs and symptoms. All are related to the blood vessels and blood gases.

      I see your point - doctors treat other symptoms without closer investigation.

      My view is that doctors do too many investigations. I am not a doctor.

  6. QUESTION:
    Do I have sleep apnoea if I notice that I stop breathing while in a dream state?
    I've noticed while I am in a dream state I stop breathing but because I'm asleep I can't do anything about it and have to wait for the air to come back in (this can get quite scary at times). Does this mean I have sleep apnoea? I'm not sure because I've read up on it and it mostly happens to people who snore ( I do not snore) or are obese (I am not obese or overweight) and I don't have any symptoms like being tired during the day. I'm only 22 as well so not that old.
    It isn't a frequent occurrence but I don't think its normal to stop breathing but not sure. If anyone can help me, then thank you.

    • ANSWER:
      The only way to really tell is to have a sleep test. If they test you for sleep apnea, they can tell you how many times you stopped breathing and for how long. You can't really go by weight or age to tell.

      It is important to get tested because it can cause you other problems if you are not getting proper sleep each night. People have also died from sleep apnea.//

  7. QUESTION:
    wake up unable to breathe in, panics me?
    For some time I have had problems breathing at night and have been elevated in semi-sitting position for several years or I simply can't sleep. Now I find I waken suddenly in a panic not being able to breathe in and I live in terrible fear of catching a cold or getting a swollen throat because I can barely get enough air without any swelling from an infection!. Drs had trouble getting a breathing tube into my throat for a procedure a couple of years ago and, consequently, I couldn't have that procedure done! The anaesthetists gave me a choice of trying to swallow the tube in a semi-conscious state (horrific!) or going home! Sometimes I just want to get a tracheoctomy and be done with it and have even sought out infornmation on how to punch a hole in my throat just so I can breathe in an emergency situation - it's THAT scary to me! Whats wrong with my throat?? I don't suffer from acid reflux, never have, though I had sleep studies & am told that I do have sleep apneoea, but I just think I have a throat problem and/or a fat tongue that gives the symptoms of sleep apnoea and there is NO sleep going on in that CPAP machine! It is noisey and blows cold air into my eyes every time I move even slightly. With a CPAP one HAS to sleep on their back otherwise your cheeks fall out of the mask! HELP!

    • ANSWER:
      I have just started using a cpap machine (3 nights so far) I am surprised that yours is so noisy, mine makes very little noise. It may be that the tube is not fully fitted so some air is escaping. You do seem to be having trouble with the fit of your mask. If it is fitted correctly and the seal is intact it should not be blowing air into your eyes.

      You say you think you just have a throat problem and/or a fat tongue that are just giving the symptoms of sleep apnea. That is exactly what sleep apnea is. The airway from the back of your nose and mouth down to your windpipe can be narrowed or blocked for many different reasons, for me it is because I am overweight. In sleep apnea the airway becomes so blocked that you stop breathing, your brain wakes you up so that you start breathing again. This can go on without you realising it because you don't wake up all the way and don't remember it. In my sleep test they found that I stopped breathing every 2 minutes while I was asleep. No wonder I felt more tired when I got up in the morning than when I went to bed. The cpap (constant positive airway pressure) machine blows air into your nose (and mouth in some cases) to keep the airway open so that you can breathe.

      I really would recommend that you speak to whoever provided the cpap machine. Your mask is either too big or it needs to be adjusted to get a better seal that will stop the air blowing into your eyes and cut down on some of the noise. You should also mention that the machine is noisy, it may need adjusting, or servicing or you may just need a bit more instruction on how to fit the tubing and use the machine.

      I can't sleep on by back, I have several problems that make this impossible but I have found that if I position myself fairly carefully I can sleep on one side without causing problems to the seal on the mask. My mask has been fitted for me by a kind and knowledgeable technician, the head gear was adjusted carefully and there is a dial on the mask to tighten or loosen the fit and this also helps with the seal. I read on a website devoted to people with sleep apnea that washing your face and applying a light moisturiser before putting on the mask helps improve the seal too.

      I have not had a fully untroubled night yet but the sleep I have had has been excellent and I feel a lot less tired than I did. Do speak to your doctor or sleep therapist about your problems with the cpap because it is worth it.

      Good luck

  8. QUESTION:
    Can you advise me on a sinus issue?
    Usually when I wake up in the morning I'm only breathing through 1 nostril. I can't breathe through my mouth when I sleep because I drool and wake up at night with a dry mouth. So I breathe through my nose. The trouble is one nostril gets completely blocked as if shut inside. I think it depends on which side I turn to when I sleep but it's not always the same nostril. I usually wake up at night to use the toilet and I've heard that this might be a symptom of sleep apnoea. So I'm wondering if my nostril shutting is inhibiting my breathing at night. In the morning it doesn't open until I stand up and start moving around. If I'm lying in bed and block the nostril that's working ok, I cannot breathe through the other. Can you advise me on how I might deal with this?

    • ANSWER:
      Your septum (the barrier between your nostrils) is probably crooked. Most are; a perfectly straight one is a medical curiosity. When you lie down, the extra blood in your head can cause minor nasal congestion by making insides of your nose swell; this is very common (as an aside, it's a 24-7 thing to astronauts living in zero-G environments).

      In other words, your crooked septum makes your nasal passage narrow, and the congestion from lying down does the rest. When you stand up, the blood drains from your nose, and you clear up. This is why I suspect the septum over mucus (which is where others suggest nasal irrigation)

      It's not always the same nostril because it might be the cartilage part of the septum (not the bone) that's crooked. This can cause it to snap back and forth like a hairpin.

      Your main concerns are tooth decay due to dry mouth (if someone observes you breathing through your mouth while you sleep), and maybe a susceptibility to sinus infections. That said -- assuming you're an adult -- if you don't have a history of either by now, this isn't something to get surgically repaired.

  9. QUESTION:
    Ideal blood pressure for a 23 year man?
    My age is 23,male, weight 60kg,and height 178cm.My blood pressure is 140/90. Is it high for me,please give suggestions,I dnt have any other symptom but find it difficult to see far objects clearly,and sometime get sleep apnoea,plz help

    • ANSWER:
      "Normal" blood pressure is typically 120/80. 120/80 through 140/90, is considered pre-hypertension. Anything over 140/90 is high and should probably be treated. So, you're right on the cusp.

      Your sleep apnea can definitely increase blood pressure. I would start with seeing a Doctor to correct or properly treat the sleep apnea. Doing so may self-correct and lower your blood pressure.

  10. QUESTION:
    I seem to be sleeping LOADS?
    This has only become an issue over the past couple of weeks. I've suddenly started sleeping loads and really deeply - so deeply that I don't hear my alarm when it goes off. I can easily sleep from 11pm till 12 noon and then have to really force myself to get out of bed or I'll fall asleep again. It's true that I don't feel as drowsy in the day as I used to when I got 7.5-8 hours a night but 13 just seems ridiculous and the fact that this is only a recent development makes me wonder what's going on. I don't think I have sleep apnoea, I'm not hiv +ve, I don't have any other symptoms of an infection and last time I had tests done my thyroid function was fine. I am otherwise a 22 year old healthy female.

    • ANSWER:
      take a pg test

  11. QUESTION:
    Do You Snore, it can be a dangerous symptom?
    Snoring can be one of the signs of a sleep disorder, known as Sleep Apnoea. side effects of this disorder are many, Oxygen Deprivation, (lack of oxygen to the brain), which can effect your memory, your vision (bothered by glare, or bright sunshine) you can stop breathing during your sleep, it has been known to cause, falling asleep during the day, even while driving a car, and death during sleep. If you seem to have some, or all of these side-effects, have your doctor refer you to a sleep lab, for a proper overnight test.

    • ANSWER:
      You ae so right. Yrs ago my husband was admitted to a big hospital and his cardiologist asked if there was anything else he should know upfront about my husband--and I told him my husband had sleep apnea and he asked me who had diagnosed that. I told him --I had--that I knew he had sleep apnea. They did the study and of course they got the results that he did indeed have sleep apnea. I am amazed that it takes a sleep study to determine that.

  12. QUESTION:
    Does PCOS cause hypoglycemic episodes?
    By PCOS I mean polycystitic ovarian syndrome.

    My family, doctor and I are pretty much 99% sure I have it. My Mum already has it so that's already a 60% chance. I also have all the symptoms. My periods are still irregular even after 4 years so not normal anymore (and I'm not sexually activity so pregnancy has no part in this nor can STDs), I have excess hair, my leg and underarm hair seems to grow back twice as quick, I get acne luckily not as bad as some but constant breakouts which seem hard to get rid of, hair seems to come out easily but I also have a minor compulsive habit of ripping my own hair out but that comes and goes this happens a lot, I've had depression, anxiety, and mood swings a lot which has made teen life difficult and I don't sleep well which could be because of sleep apnoea which is caused by PCOS.

    I know that as well genetics insulin resistance is a cause/symptom of the syndrome. I haven't been officially diagnosed yet as the blood test (which was very difficult for me unfortunately as I have a severe needle phobia) came back inconclusive I haven't had the abdominal ultra sound I'm meant to quite yet.

    I have a few question about this whole PCOS/insulin resistance thing.

    1. If I do have PCOS/insulin resistance would I be in danger of having a hypoglycemic episode like diabetics get?
    2. My Mum who as I said before is a PCOS sufferer says her doctor has told her insulin resistant PCOS eventually turns into type 2 diabetes. Is this true? If so do I have to inject myself with insulin? I hope not as I said needle phobia, injecting myself would be really difficult for me.
    3. Is it curable or do I have to live with it?
    4. Did I do it to myself? I know this may sound whiny and this isn't an "I'm depressed" about this question. I just want to know if there is anything I could have done to prevent this? (If I do have it of course). I kind of hope there wasn't, which is odd but its because I'd rather go around knowing I couldn't have done anything to stop it then go around bitter knowing I could have but didn't and I can't take it back.
    5. Are PCOS sufferers more likely to get things like ovarian cancer? I know most if not all PCOS sufferers get ovarian cysts (which is why my doctor wants an ultrasound to see if I have any) but what about cancers?
    6. Do all women with PCOS need to go through IVF to conceive? I'm only 16 so kids isn't right now but I want kids one day and it'd be a drag having to pay ,000 a pop and al that time for something that is only 50% likely to happen. I'd prefer to conceive just like any other woman. (But I will go through IVF if I have to).

    • ANSWER:

  13. QUESTION:
    Are doctors suspicious of patients who tell them what drug they want?
    I'm extremely tired some days because of what i think is sleep apnoea,(I stop breathing and sound like i'm choking while asleep some nights) i want the drug Modafinil because it also helps adhd, which i have moderate symptoms of (if i don't have it i almost do) will my doctor assume i'm just after drugs? or am i just being paranoid?

    (i haven't went to the doctors about the add/adhd symptoms because the side effects of ritalin and adderall scare me.)
    thanks for the answers so far guys, i'm in the uk if that makes a difference, we don't really have drug commercials.

    • ANSWER:
      you should present your two symptoms to your doctor and discuss them with him/her. Then present the drug, and how you learned about it in a calm manner. Your doctor will defenatly not suspect you of being after drugs if you do not have a history of going after drugs, addiction, and are not a new patient. if you are a new patient its best to discuss the symptoms and see what he recomends, and then say that you heard of the drug you want on a comercial. drug commercials always say discuss this drug with your doctor.

      you are being slightly paranoid

  14. QUESTION:
    Applying for provisional driving licence - medical condition help?
    Would Asperger Syndrome come under any of these?
    Medical conditions
    Please tick all that apply.
    1. Diabetes controlled by insulin (No need to tell us if controlled by tablets)
    2. Epilepsy
    3. Any condition affecting both eyes, or the remaining eye if you only have one eye. Not including colour blindness or short or long sight
    4. Stroke, with any symptoms lasting longer than one month or TIAs
    5. Fits or blackouts
    6. Any type of brain surgery, severe head injury involving in-patient treatment, or brain tumour
    7. An implanted cardiac pacemaker
    8. An implanted cardiac defibrillator (ICD)
    9. Repeated attacks of sudden disabling giddiness
    10. Any other chronic neurological condition including Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone and Huntington's disease
    11. A serious problem with memory or periods of confusion
    12. Persistent alcohol misuse or dependency
    13. Persistent drug misuse or dependency
    14. Serious psychiatric illness or mental ill health
    15. Parkinson's disease
    16. Sleep apnoea syndrome
    17. Narcolepsy
    18. Any condition affecting your visual field
    19. Total loss of sight in one eye
    20. Any persisting limb problem which needs driving to be restricted to certain types of vehicles or those with adapted controls
    21. Severe learning disability

    Thanks!

    • ANSWER:
      Technically it would fall under 10, as it's a chronic neurological condition. However, it does not have debilitating effects on movement or cognition like the examples. It may also be considered 14; it's not a psychological disorder but it is in the DSM.

      Honestly, unless your Asperger's causes you to have serious problems driving, you'd be fine to just leave it out. That's what I did.

  15. QUESTION:
    whats wrong with me?
    Chest pain, stabbing pains in left shoulder, pains in left upper arm, numbness in left arm, sleep apnoea, waking with chest pains and pins and needles in left arm, feeling constantly light-headed and dizzy which sometimes becomes more intense, impaired consciousness and confusion, ringing in ears, balance problems, sweating and feeling breathless, blue fingernails, cold hands and feet. I have had these symptoms for around 8 years and they have progressively worsened. Over the past 2 years I have developed a lot of anxiety and have had panic attacks and find it very difficult now to relax.
    Had ecg's, tilt test, balance test, echocardiogram, holter monitor

    • ANSWER:
      Go to an all new set of doctors for a second opinion. There has to be a cuase for all of that.

  16. QUESTION:
    menopause or pregnant?
    I am 48 years old and am not sure if i am pregnant or menopausal. I did have unprotected sex in july and have not had a period since then. I have done 3 home pregnancy tests all showing a negative result. Ihave had blood tests about 6 mths ago which told me i was in peri menopause. I have also been under a lot of stress lately which may be the cause of my missing periods!!!!. I have had hot flushes, mood swings and i find i just dont feel well constantly. I have had 2 kids so i know what it feels like to be pregnant, and i get the feeling of movement in my stomach...the small butterfly like movements.......i dont know if this a menopause symptom tho!!!!! I get the occasional soreness in the breasts and cramping at the time my period is due. I am also way more tired than usual, I am not one of these people who wake up refreshed due to sleep apnoea, but i am worn out. I work full time so dont have time to get to my doctor. Can anyone help withsome advice or website that has helpful info please?
    I also have a constant pain in my stomach, like a cramp mostly, but sometimes its a light stabbing pain

    • ANSWER:


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