The symptoms of sleep apnea can cause severe, long-term health problems if it goes untreated. People with sleep apnea have trouble getting enough restful, deep sleep because they are frequently woken up repeatedly during the night. They don’t spend enough time in the important stages of deeper sleep, which can result in daytime fatigue and memory issues. It can also raise the risk for heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common form of the disorder. In it, the throat becomes narrow or blocked as you breathe in during sleep. This causes vibrations in the tissues of the upper airway that create sounds known as snoring. The obstruction or pause in breathing (apnea) can last for seconds or minutes. It happens when the throat muscles relax too much during sleep and can be triggered by being overweight, taking certain medications, smoking, or going through menopause.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea: What to Look For and When to Seek Help

Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include feeling tired during the day, even after a good night’s rest; loud snoring; gasping or choking while sleeping; and morning headaches. Drowsiness can be dangerous, especially if you’re driving or working with machinery. You may have trouble concentrating and have mood changes, depression or anxiety.

Central sleep apnea is less common than obstructive sleep apnea, but it still interferes with good sleep. It’s a type of sleep-related hypoventilation disorder in which you stop breathing during sleep. The condition is triggered by a disruption in the brain’s signals that control breathing, usually when you’re at altitudes of more than 10 miles above sea level.…