Sleep apnea is a common yet often overlooked condition that affects millions of people worldwide, including in Singapore. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and even stroke. The condition disrupts your sleep by causing breathing to repeatedly stop and start, leaving you feeling fatigued and irritable during the day. But how do you know if you might have sleep apnea? In this article, we provide a comprehensive sleep apnea signs and symptoms checklist to help you identify potential warning signs.
Learn more: ENT Health
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Before diving into the sleep apnea signs and symptoms checklist, it is important to understand what sleep apnea is. Sleep apnea occurs when your airway becomes partially or completely blocked while you sleep, resulting in pauses in breathing. These pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes and may happen multiple times throughout the night.
There are three main types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) – The most common form, caused by the relaxation of the throat muscles.
- Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) – Occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
- Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome – A combination of both OSA and CSA.
Now, let us look at the key signs and symptoms you should be aware of.
Sleep Apnea Signs and Symptoms Checklist
1. Loud Snoring
One of the most common indicators of obstructive sleep apnea is loud, persistent snoring. It occurs when airflow is partially blocked during sleep, causing vibrations in the throat tissues. While snoring is not always a sign of sleep apnea, it is worth investigating if it is accompanied by other symptoms.
2. Gasping Or Choking During Sleep
People with sleep apnea often experience episodes where they stop breathing, which can cause them to wake up suddenly, gasping or choking for air. This is usually noticed by a partner, as it often happens without the person being fully aware.
3. Pauses in Breathing
Frequent pauses in breathing while sleeping is a clear sign of sleep apnea. These interruptions can last for several seconds and may happen multiple times per hour. If a family member or bed partner notices this, it is important to seek medical advice.
4. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
Constant tiredness during the day, despite having a full night’s sleep, is a major red flag. Sleep apnea disrupts the normal sleep cycle, preventing you from getting the deep, restorative sleep your body needs. As a result, you may feel drowsy, struggle to concentrate, or even fall asleep during routine activities such as working or driving.
5. Morning Headaches
Waking up with a headache is another symptom associated with sleep apnea. The condition can lower oxygen levels during sleep, leading to tension headaches, particularly in the morning.
6. Dry Mouth Or Sore Throat
Many individuals with sleep apnea wake up with a dry mouth or sore throat. This is because people with sleep apnea tend to breathe through their mouth during sleep, which can dry out the mouth and irritate the throat.
7. Difficulty Staying Asleep (Insomnia)
Sleep apnea can make it difficult to maintain uninterrupted sleep, leading to frequent awakenings throughout the night. This can result in insomnia, where you find it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep for long periods.
8. Irritability Or Mood Changes
A lack of quality sleep can impact your mental and emotional well-being. If you find yourself becoming more irritable, moody, or prone to sudden mood swings, sleep apnea could be a contributing factor. Sleep deprivation affects the brain’s ability to regulate emotions, leading to increased stress and anxiety.
9. Difficulty Concentrating Or Memory Issues
Chronic sleep deprivation caused by sleep apnea can impair cognitive function, making it harder to focus, remember things, or complete tasks. You may find yourself becoming forgetful or having trouble processing information, especially during work or school.
10. Weight Gain Or Difficulty Losing Weight
Sleep apnea is often linked to weight gain, as the condition can disrupt hormones that regulate hunger and metabolism. People with sleep apnea may struggle to lose weight despite following a healthy diet and exercise routine. Conversely, being overweight is also a risk factor for developing sleep apnea.
Risk Factors For Sleep Apnea
While anyone can develop sleep apnea, some factors increase the risk:
- Excess weight – People who are overweight are more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea due to the extra pressure on their airway.
- Neck circumference – A thicker neck can narrow the airway, increasing the risk of airway blockage during sleep.
- Age – Sleep apnea is more common in older adults.
- Family history – A family history of sleep apnea increases the likelihood of developing the condition.
- Smoking – Smoking increases the risk of sleep apnea by inflaming and narrowing the upper airway.
When To See A Doctor
If you or a loved one experiences any of the symptoms on this checklist, it is important to seek medical advice. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent the condition from worsening and reduce the risk of complications such as heart disease and diabetes. In Singapore, sleep studies can be conducted at hospitals or specialised sleep clinics to diagnose sleep apnea. Treatment options may include lifestyle changes, the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, or surgery in severe cases.
Consult Our Preferred Doctor On Your Sleep Apnea
Dr Alex Tham is an ENT Specialist in Singapore – Head and Neck Surgeon at Asian Healthcare Specialists. He has specialised fellowship training in Advanced Rhinology (diseases of the nose and sinus) and Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery. His expertise encompasses a broad spectrum of ENT services, including general ear, nose, and throat care, with a particular focus on advanced rhinology and endoscopic skull base surgery.
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This article is informative only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.