Sleep apnea occurs during sleep, which means your Significant Other will notice the symptoms first. The most common symptoms are snoring or sleepiness during the daytime and even falling asleep during normal activities such as eating or driving. Other symptoms are:

• Lowered concentration and learning difficulties
• Excessive fatigue
• Having headaches for a longer period of time. Most patients who suffer from sleep apnea claim having headaches.
• Heartburn
• For larger people, swollen legs are a common symptom
• Need to urinate during sleep
• Excessive sweating during sleep
• Cramped feeling in the chest area
• Excessive snoring. However, this does not always have to be a symptom of sleep apnea.
• Choking sounds during sleep
• Gasping for air
• Restlessness
• Increased blood pressure
• Lowered sexual functions
• Depression or agressiveness

Older men and women have periods of cessation of respiration. This is normal, but makes it difficult to diagnose if they have sleep apnea.

Nevertheless, all the symptoms of sleep apnea are harmful to the patient’s health and rest. When experiencing any or a number of these symptoms or consider any of the range of sleep apnea treatments, consider seeing a doctor.