Sleep Apnea Symptoms: How to Tell If You Have It

Do you wake up feeling tired, even after a full night’s rest? You might not be getting the healthy sleep your body needs. Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that causes your breathing to stop and start repeatedly during the night—and many people don’t even know they have it.

The symptoms of sleep apnea often happen while you’re asleep, which can make it hard to notice on your own. But there are warning signs during both nighttime and daytime that can help you spot the condition early.

Let’s explore the key symptoms of sleep apnea, how it affects your health, and when to talk to a doctor.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder where your breathing is repeatedly interrupted throughout the night. These breathing pauses can last for seconds or even minutes—and they can happen dozens or even hundreds of times per night.

There are three main types:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): The most common type. It happens when your throat muscles relax too much during sleep and block your airway.
• Central Sleep Apnea: The brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
• Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.

Common Sleep Apnea Symptoms (While You’re Asleep)

Many signs of sleep apnea occur during sleep, so they’re often first noticed by a partner, roommate, or family member. These include:

• Loud, frequent snoring
• Gasping for air during sleep
• Pauses in breathing (even if brief)
• Restless tossing and turning
• Insomnia or waking up repeatedly throughout the night

If you sleep alone, someone in your home may still hear signs of trouble—like gasping, snoring, or choking sounds through your bedroom door.

Daytime Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Even if you’re unaware of your nighttime symptoms, your body will still feel the effects the next day. Sleep apnea can disrupt deep sleep stages, leaving you feeling drained. Look out for:

• Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
• Morning headaches
• Daytime fatigue or sleepiness
• Difficulty focusing or remembering things
• Mood changes, like irritability or depression
• Falling asleep during quiet activities, like watching TV or driving

If you regularly feel “off” during the day despite sleeping enough hours, sleep apnea may be the cause.

Why Sleep Apnea Needs Treatment

Untreated sleep apnea doesn’t just make you tired—it puts your long-term health at risk. Research shows that sleep apnea is linked to:

• High blood pressure and heart disease
• Irregular heartbeat (like atrial fibrillation)
• Increased stroke risk
• Type 2 diabetes
• Liver dysfunction
• Increased risk of accidents due to daytime drowsiness

Good news: With proper diagnosis and treatment, many people see dramatic improvements in sleep quality and overall health.

Don’t Ignore the Signs. Talk to a Sleep Expert.

If you or someone in your household notices signs of sleep apnea, it’s important to get checked out. A simple sleep study—either at home or in a lab—can help confirm a diagnosis. Treatment may involve lifestyle changes, a CPAP machine, oral appliances, or other solutions tailored to your needs.

BASS Medical Group: Sleep Apnea Specialists in the Bay Area

The Sleep Medicine Center at BASS Medical Group is here to help you breathe easier and sleep better. Our board-certified sleep specialists offer testing, diagnosis, and comprehensive care plans for patients of all ages.

Call one of our Northern California locations today or
Schedule an appointment online to get started.