Signs You May Have Sleep Apnea (Breathing Stops During Sleep)

Based on research by the Indonesian Society of Sleep Medicine as reported by Kompas, the number of people with sleep apnea in Indonesia is quite significant. In Jakarta alone, approximately 20 percent of the population is affected. This sleep disorder should not be taken lightly, as it can lead to sudden death.

The good news is that sleep apnea can be managed if you are aware of its signs and symptoms early on. What are the symptoms and signs of sleep apnea? Here is an overview.

Warning signs of sleep apnea you should watch for

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops during sleep. Medically, sleep apnea caused by an obstruction in the airway is known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Obstructive sleep apnea can occur during various sleep stages, both during non-REM (Rapid Eye Movement, or deep sleep) and during REM sleep. Due to this obstruction, airflow to the lungs is restricted. Just imagine — while you are asleep, the supply of oxygen entering your body suddenly stops.

The blockage in the airway causes a person to wake up suddenly. As a result, your sleep quality deteriorates, leaving you fatigued and less productive the next day. These episodes can last 10–60 seconds, and in extreme cases can recur every 30 seconds.

Sleep apnea is a condition that must not be overlooked. That is why it is important to recognize its various signs and symptoms so that appropriate treatment can be sought promptly. Here are some of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea to watch out for.

1. Loud snoring

Snoring is the primary sign of this sleep disorder. During sleep, the airway is relaxed, limp, and narrowed. As a result, even when breathing movements occur, airflow becomes restricted. This causes the tissues surrounding the airway to vibrate, producing the disruptive sound of snoring.

Most people who snore during sleep are unaware that they do so. Like someone choking in their sleep, a snorer will briefly wake up and then fall back asleep.

2. Frequent urination during the night

If you frequently make trips to the bathroom in the middle of the night, this could be a sign of sleep apnea. Nighttime sleep disruption due to frequent urination occurs as a result of impaired production of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH), which normally prevents urination during the night.

When this hormone is not produced adequately, you will urinate more frequently. In addition, sleep apnea can also make you more sensitive to how full your bladder feels at night, further increasing the urge to urinate.

Frequent nighttime urination is known as nocturia, which can be caused by various factors such as excessive fluid intake before bed, the use of diuretic medications such as furosemide, or benign prostatic hyperplasia.

3. Teeth grinding

Teeth grinding, medically known as bruxism, can also be a sign of sleep apnea. For some people, this habit occurs unconsciously during sleep.

Mild teeth grinding generally does not require further treatment. However, in some cases, this habit can lead to jaw disorders, headaches, tooth damage, and other problems.

4. Dry mouth

Do you often wake up with a dry mouth or a sore throat? If so, you should be alert. This is one of the indicators of sleep apnea. Dry mouth commonly occurs when nasal congestion forces a person to breathe through the mouth.

This can result from the flu, a cold, allergies, or other medical conditions. Keeping a glass of water on your bedside table is one of the best ways to relieve dry mouth after waking and reduce the risk of this problem.

5. Drooling

When awake, saliva produced by the salivary glands is automatically swallowed. During sleep, however, the body's muscles relax, and saliva may not be swallowed, accumulating in the oral cavity. This happens even though the body produces less saliva during sleep than when awake.

Sleeping on one's side can cause the saliva that has pooled in the oral cavity to flow out, which is what leads to drooling.

6. Excessive daytime sleepiness

As mentioned above, sleep apnea deteriorates your sleep quality each night due to frequent awakenings. As a result, you may often feel dizzy and unrefreshed upon waking, have difficulty concentrating, and experience excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia).