12 Signs that Sleep Apnea Is Taking Its Toll on the Body

Most people associate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with loud snoring, choking, and gasping. But, not only are these the symptoms for sleep apnea, they could also be the symptoms for other sleep disorders.

OSA is a sleep disorder that typically affects breathing. If it is not treated, it can cause serious diseases, such as stroke, type 2 diabetes, and heart attack.

Here are some of the signs that this sleep disorder is becoming fatal:

1. Migraines

A migraine or a headache experienced in the morning is a common sign of OSA. Sleep apnea causes the oxygen levels in the blood and brain to drop. OSA occurs more frequently in women, and the symptoms they experience are different with men. Some women may not snore very loud, but they might experience severe headaches and mood problems. Headaches can be treated with various remedies.

2. Fatigue during the day

Because breathing patterns are affected by OSA, sleep is affected as well. At night, people experiencing OSA may have a hard time breathing, which causes a temporary cessation of breathing. As a result, they can be awakened from their sleep repeatedly at night. They may not even recall being awakened. Patients will feel excessively tired and fatigued, without knowing the exact reason. This can interrupt their daily activities and life.

3. Poor concentration

This is not a common symptom of sleep apnea. Having a poor attention span can have serious consequences that are more than just forgetting someone’s birthday or a task. According to a study printed in a journal called Sleep, there is a higher risk for people with OSA to get into vehicular accidents. Fortunately, the National Sleep Foundation shared some ways to avoid feeling drowsy if someone has OSA.

4. Poor memory

Aside from concentration, memory is also negatively affected. The areas that are particularly affected are verbal and visuospatial memory. For instance, not remembering the route to a specific place and having difficulties remembering a certain word often are signs of poor memory. If it is ignored, a person with OSA will most likely develop Alzheimer’s disease. In 2017, there was a study shown that this sleep disorder can cause plaque to accumulate in the brain, which is the most common sign of Alzheimer's.

5. Deficient motor skills

In order to improve motor skills, people need to have a certain amount of sleep. However, it shows that sleep apnea interrupts a person’s ability to learn and remember motor skills. In 2014, a study discovered that some people who have OSA did not see improvement in their motor skills. Having poor motor skills may be apparent when trying to learn a new skill, such as playing a musical instrument or using a new tool. Learning skills like these become challenging or increasingly difficult. Also, negative changes in coordination may also be noticed. So, people suffering from sleep apnea are more at risk for minor and serious accidents.

Read on to learn the 7 other signs that sleep apnea is taking a toll on your body.