7 Subtle Signs of Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can present through a variety of symptoms. Common symptoms include loud snoring, observed apneas, restless sleep, and excessive daytime sleepiness. However, there are a variety of subtle signs that are often overlooked, delaying the diagnosis and treatment of OSA. Recognizing these less-known symptoms can help identify OSA earlier, leading to timely and effective treatment.

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1. Morning Headaches

Waking up with a headache can be a sign of OSA. These headaches are typically caused by the fluctuation in oxygen levels during sleep, leading to the dilation of blood vessels in the brain. Morning headaches usually go away within a few hours of waking up, but if they occur frequently, they should not be ignored.

2. Dry Mouth and Sore Throat

If you frequently wake up with a dry mouth or sore throat, it may be due to breathing through the mouth during sleep, causing dryness and irritation. This is common in OSA patients particularly among those who snore loudly or experience frequent awakenings due to apneas.

3. Difficulty Concentrating

OSA can significantly impact cognitive function. Individuals with OSA often struggle with memory, attention, and concentration during the day. This is a result of the fragmented sleep and reduced oxygen supply to the brain during apneic episodes.

4. Frequent Urination at Night

Known as nocturia, frequent urination at night is another subtle sign of OSA. The stress of repeated apneas can trigger the body to produce more urine.

5. Unexplained Weight Gain

Weight gain and difficulty losing weight, despite diet and exercise, can also be related to OSA. Sleep deprivation and fragmented sleep can disrupt hormones that regulate appetite, leading to increased hunger.

6. Reduced Exercise Tolerance

People with OSA often experience reduced exercise tolerance. This means feeling unusually fatigued or short of breath during physical activities that were previously manageable. The lack of restorative sleep impairs the body's ability to recover and function efficiently, making exercise more challenging.

7. Digestive Issues

OSA can also manifest through various digestive problems, such as acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The stress on the body during apneic episodes can exacerbate these conditions, leading to discomfort and disrupted sleep.

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While these subtle signs of OSA are easy to miss, addressing them promptly can improve sleep quality and overall health. Contact Sleep Well Denver today and schedule your consultation with Dr. Lindsey Deol to discuss your OSA risk factors.