Sleep apnea history and symptoms
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Kashish Goel, M.D.
Overview
- Loud and chronic (ongoing) snoring with pauses in between. Choking or gasping may also follow the pauses. The snoring usually is loudest when you sleep on your back, may be less noisy when you turn on your side. Snoring may not happen every night and over time, the snoring may happen more often and get louder.
- Excessive day time sleepiness
- Non -specific symtoms include
- Morning headaches
- Trouble concentrating
- Irritability
- Memory problems
- Mood or behavior change, often depressed
- Personality changes
- Decreased libido
- Increased heart rate
- Increased frequency of urination, nocturia (getting up during the night to urinate)
- Esophageal reflux
- Heavy sweating at night
The most serious consequence of obstructive sleep apnea is to the heart. In severe and prolonged cases, there are increases in pulmonary pressures that are transmitted to the right side of the heart. This can result in a severe form of congestive heart failure (cor pulmonale).