What Are the Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Often the person with obstructive sleep apnea is not the first to recognize the signs. OSA is often first noticed by the bed partner or a person who observes the patient at rest. Many people who have OSA have no sleep complaints.

The most common obstructive sleep apnea symptoms include:

 Daytime sleepiness or fatigue

 Dry mouth or sore throat upon awakening

 Headaches in the morning

 Trouble concentrating, forgetfulness, depression, or irritability

 Night sweats

 Restlessness during sleep

 Sexual dysfunction

 Snoring

 Sudden awakenings with a sensation of gasping or choking

 Difficulty getting up in the mornings

Symptoms of OSA in children may not be as obvious. They include:

 Bedwetting

 Choking or drooling

 Excessive sweating at night

 Inward movement of the ribcage when inhaling

 Learning and behavioral disorders

 Poor school performance

 Sluggishness or sleepiness (often misinterpreted as laziness in the classroom)

 Snoring

 Teeth grinding

 Restlessness in bed

 Pauses or absence of breathing

 Unusual sleeping positions, such as sleeping on the hands and knees