Recognizing sleep apnea in oneself or a bed partner can be crucial for seeking timely medical advice and treatment. Key indicators include loud, persistent snoring, often accompanied by gasping or choking sounds during sleep. For the bed partner, noting that the other person stops breathing when they are asleep or that they wake up gasping for air is a clear indicator of sleep apnea. Individuals may also experience excessive daytime sleepiness, waking up feeling unrefreshed, or experiencing morning headaches. Another common sign is pauses in breathing during sleep, which can be particularly noticeable by a bed partner. If these symptoms are present, consulting with a healthcare provider for a comprehensive evaluation is advisable.

SNORING

Snoring is the sound that happens when air is trying to pass through narrowed air passages. Everybody knows someone who snores and it affects more than just the snorer.

GASPING

When air can’t get to your body, it goes into distress. Your body and brain need oxygen! Gasping for air often follows episodes of loud snoring. Your bed partner may hear these sounds and may find them quite scary!

FATIGUE

We’ve all had tired days after going to bed later than usual. People who have sleep apnea  never get a good night sleep. When the body wakes itself up gasping for air multiple times an hour, it’s as if it didn’t sleep at all. What a torture!

EASILY IRRITATED

It’s not unusual to get a bit grumpy before your morning coffee but sufferers of sleep apnea are often grumpy throughout the day and they get easily angered or impatient. 

WAKING UP

At the end of a tired, irritated and unproductive day, people who suffer from sleep apnea go to bed to restart the cycle all over again. Unable to breathe they wake up frequently through the night and often go through life like a zombie.