Article 2023 Jan 02

Signs and symptoms of sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder characterised by the following symptoms: 


  • Excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue 
  • Loud snoring  
  • Events of stopped breathing during sleep 
  • Abrupt awakenings accompanied by gasping or choking  
  • Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat  
  • Morning headache  
  • Difficulty concentrating throughout the day 
  • Mood changes, such as depression or irritability 
  • High blood pressure 
  • Decreased libido 
  • Difficulty retaining information, memory loss 
  • Nocturia (frequently visiting the toilet during the night) or bedwetting 



Severe OSA symptoms that require medical assistance and monitoring include: 


  • Interrupts your sleep or other's sleep with loud snoring 
  • Waking up gasping for breath or choking 
  • Pauses in your breathing during sleep 
  • Excessive daytime drowsiness, falling asleep during work, leisure, and while operating vehicles


Source: Sleep Apnea: Symptoms, Causes and Natural Support Strategies (drjockers.com) 

  1. Mayo Clinic. 2022. Obstructive sleep apnea - Symptoms and causes. [online] Available at: [Accessed 7 April 2022].