Most people know that feeling tired or snoring loudly can be symptoms of sleep apnea, but there are several other symptoms that you might not be aware of. Here are some of these symptoms that you might have now. They can all be an indication that you might have sleep apnea.
Morning Headaches
Before my sleep apnea diagnosis, I woke up frequently in the morning with severe headaches. These headaches were bad enough that I needed to take two strong pain pills and lie back down for several hours before I felt better again.
At the time, I didn’t realize these headaches were because I had sleep apnea and wasn’t getting the rest at night that I needed. If you have morning headaches, you should get checked for sleep apnea.
Mental Fog
I used to get mental fog. I didn’t quite feel myself, and I would struggle during the day to complete tasks. I’m a writer, and I would often stare at the page and not be able to think about what I needed to write.
My mind wasn’t as clear or as sharp as it could be because I had undiagnosed sleep apnea. My lack of sleep was making it difficult for me to think clearly. With my CPAP machine, I no longer have that mental fog.
Extreme Fatigue
Along with feeling like I needed a nap, I used to have extreme fatigue. This made it hard to do much of anything, as my body would ache and I couldn’t get motivated to do any work at all.
Feeling like you’re always worn out is an indication of undiagnosed sleep apnea. I no longer have this sort of fatigue, and I’m able to get through the day without needing any breaks to refuel. I don’t drink the coffee in the afternoon that I once needed to make it through the rest of the day.
Mood Swings
When you don’t get quality sleep, your mood can shift almost on a dime. You may start to feel depressed or angry. Your emotions can be all over the place. Lack of sleep can play a huge role in how you think as well as feel.
In the morning, I would often be in a bad mood. This was because I didn’t get the sleep I needed each night because of my sleep apnea. Now, I wake up feeling great and often get up earlier than I ever did before, feeling refreshed and ready to go.
See a Doctor
Of course, any of these symptoms could be something else. If you’re older, it might be your hormones or a multitude of other factors. This is why you need to see a doctor. They can determine if you have sleep apnea and if you need therapy.
A sleep study isn’t a difficult procedure, and most of the time, it can even be done at home. It’s well worth it to get checked for sleep apnea, as your life will improve by a wide margin with proper therapy.
Sleep apnea has a wide range of symptoms. As always, see your doctor to determine if you have sleep apnea. The symptoms listed here could mean you have the condition, so it’s a good idea to get checked if you get any of them frequently.
Photo Credit: Tom Merton / OJO Images via Getty Images
Important: The opinions expressed in WebMD Blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. Blogs are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment.
Do not consider WebMD Blogs as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.
