5 Signs of Sleep Apnea You Shouldn’t Ignore
Dr. Martin Hopp MD, ENT
Sleep should leave you feeling refreshed—but for millions of adults, it doesn't. If you're waking up tired, snoring loudly, or dragging through the day with low energy, the problem may be more than "bad sleep." These could be signs of sleep apnea, one of the most common sleep disorders that often goes unnoticed.
Sleep apnea occurs when your breathing repeatedly stops during the night. In obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)—the most common type—the upper airway becomes blocked by the tongue or soft tissues in the throat. These pauses disrupt sleep and lower oxygen levels, gradually straining the body over time.
The tricky part? Many people don't realize they have sleep apnea because the symptoms can be subtle or easy to blame on stress, aging, or simple exhaustion. If this sounds familiar, you can get answers quickly and comfortably at home with Daybreak's at-home testing process.
Key Takeaways
- Sleep apnea symptoms often go unnoticed, including loud snoring, breathing pauses, and daytime fatigue.
- Recognizing the top five warning signs early can help prevent long-term health risks.
- No CPAP needed—Daybreak offers a comfortable, FDA-cleared, custom-fit treatment option for use at home.
The Most Common Signs of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea affects people differently, but most individuals share a core set of symptoms. Whether caused by obstructive sleep apnea or central sleep apnea, these signs are essential to pay attention to—especially if you've been struggling with poor quality sleep.
Understanding What Happens During Sleep Apnea
To better understand these symptoms, it's helpful to see what's actually happening in your airway while you sleep. In obstructive sleep apnea, the tongue and soft tissues in the throat relax and collapse backward, blocking the flow of air.
Now let's look at the five most common signs that this may be happening to you:
1. Loud, Persistent Snoring
Not all snoring is sleep apnea—but frequent, loud snoring is one of the most recognizable symptoms.
Snoring becomes a concern when it:
- Happens most nights
- It is loud enough to disrupt a partner's sleep
- Comes with choking or gasping sounds
Snoring occurs when the airway partially collapses during sleep. Chronic snoring often signals obstructive sleep apnea, even if occasional snoring seems harmless.
Loud snoring is one of the most common symptoms reported by people later diagnosed with OSA.
2. Pauses in Breathing or Gasping During Sleep
This symptom is one of the hallmark signs of sleep apnea—and often something the sleeper isn't aware of. A partner or family member may notice you:
- Stop breathing for brief moments
- Gasp, choke, or snort suddenly
- Shift abruptly during sleep
These pauses (called "apneas") interrupt deep sleep and reduce oxygen levels. If someone has mentioned that you "stop breathing" at night, it's essential to take it seriously and consider getting tested to diagnose sleep apnea.
3. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
Feeling exhausted—even after seven to eight hours of sleep—is one of the clearest indicators of sleep apnea. Because breathing pauses fragment the sleep cycle, you never reach the deep, restorative stages your body needs.
Common signs include:
- Daytime drowsiness
- Struggling to stay awake during meetings or while driving
- Low energy or motivation
- Unexplained fatigue
Do these signs sound familiar? Use this checklist to see if they apply to you.
If so, a sleep test can help you finally identify the cause and accurately diagnose sleep apnea.
4. Morning Headaches or Dry Mouth
When breathing repeatedly stops during sleep, oxygen levels drop—which can trigger:
- Morning headaches
- Grogginess
- Difficulty thinking clearly
Dry mouth is also common and often indicates mouth breathing during sleep, usually due to airway narrowing. These symptoms may seem unrelated, but together they can signal sleep apnea.
5. Difficulty Concentrating or Irritability
Interrupted sleep affects more than your body—it affects your brain.
People with sleep apnea often report:
- Trouble focusing
- Memory problems
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Feeling "not like themselves."
These issues are sometimes mistaken for stress or burnout, but when paired with other symptoms, they're strong signs that your brain isn't getting deep, restorative rest—especially in people with OSA or central sleep apnea.
Quick Comparison: Are These Symptoms Linked to Sleep Apnea?
If you’re unsure whether your symptoms might be connected, this quick comparison may help.
Why These Signs Matter
Sleep apnea doesn't just make you tired—it affects your long-term health. Untreated sleep apnea repeatedly lowers oxygen levels and disrupts the sleep your body depends on.
Over time, untreated sleep apnea raises the risk of:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- Weight gain and metabolic issues
- Chronic fatigue
- Mood disorders
Even mild sleep apnea can worsen over time, making early testing and treatment essential.
Sleep Apnea Risk Factors: Who is More Likely to Develop Symptoms?
Sleep apnea can affect anyone, but some factors make it more likely:
- Excess weight or a larger neck circumference
- A family history of sleep apnea
- Being male or over age 40
- Smoking or alcohol use
- Chronic nasal congestion
- Health conditions like high blood pressure or heart disease
- Certain craniofacial features, sometimes referred to as 'sleep apnea face', can affect the shape of the upper airway and increase the risk of obstruction during sleep
It's worth noting that you can have sleep apnea without any risk factors. Your symptoms and how you feel are the best indicators of your condition.
How to Know for Sure: At-Home Sleep Testing
The only way to know whether you have sleep apnea is through a sleep study. While many people assume this means spending a night in a sleep lab, at-home testing has made diagnosis much more accessible and comfortable.
Daybreak's at-home sleep test offers:
- Two-night monitoring for a clearer picture of breathing patterns
- 98% accuracy, comparable to in-lab studies
- Doctor-reviewed results with clear next steps
- A lightweight sensor worn at home
- No wires, clinic visits, or long wait times
If you have a sleep apnea diagnosis, Daybreak also provides an FDA-cleared, CPAP-free treatment option—an oral device that gently moves the lower jaw forward to keep the airway open. It's a non-invasive alternative to traditional continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines.
Take Action: Don't Ignore the Signs of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a common condition, and many people live with it for years without realizing it's the reason behind their snoring, daytime fatigue, or restless nights. The symptoms highlighted in this guide—loud snoring, breathing pauses, morning headaches, excessive sleepiness, and difficulty concentrating—are necessary signals that your sleep may not be as restorative as it should be.
Recognizing these signs early matters. Untreated sleep apnea can affect your heart, metabolism, mood, and long-term health. The good news is that getting clarity is simpler than most people expect. Today, you can check for sleep apnea comfortably at home through an at-home sleep test, which gives you a clearer understanding of what's happening while you sleep.
Noticing these signs? Take the 30-second assessment and start feeling better today.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the warning signs of sleep apnea?
The most common symptoms include loud snoring, breathing pauses, gasping during sleep, daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, and trouble concentrating. These symptoms can occur in people with mild, moderate, or even more advanced cases of sleep apnea.
2. What can be mistaken for sleep apnea?
Fatigue, insomnia, stress, anxiety, and simple snoring can resemble sleep apnea. Because these issues overlap, a sleep test is the most reliable way to determine the cause.
3. How can I check if I have sleep apnea at home?
You can take Daybreak's at-home sleep test, which provides 98% accuracy and doctor-reviewed results—all from the comfort of your own bed.
4. Is sleep apnea treatable without a CPAP machine?
Yes. Many people use oral devices that gently reposition the jaw to help alleviate symptoms. Daybreak offers an FDA-cleared, CPAP-free treatment option that can help people with mild to severe sleep apnea.
5. When should I see a doctor about sleep apnea symptoms?
If you snore regularly, feel tired most days, or someone notices pauses in your breathing during sleep, it's time to get tested. Early diagnosis can help prevent long-term health issues.