Common symptoms of sleep disorder include:
- Snoring: Snoring can be diagnosed as primary snoring or obstructive sleep apnea. Primary snoring is characterized by loud upper airway breathing sounds during sleep without episodes of cessation of breath (apnea). Obstructive sleep apnea involves a decrease or complete halt in airflow despite an ongoing effort to breathe. The brain senses an inability to breathe and briefly rouses body from sleep so that airway can be opened. If left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea can increase the risk of health problems, including high blood pressure, heart failure, irregular heart beats, heart attacks, diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease, stroke and dementia.
- Cessation of breathing while asleep: It is the most commonly found symptom in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. During sleep, breathing stops periodically during the night. It symptom is unnoticeable unless other symptoms are co-presented such as waking up choking and waking up gasping especially when patients sleep on their own without observation.
- Nocturnal urination: Although frequent urination at night is common symptom of certain diseases such as diabetes and BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) or even in people with drinking a large amount of water before going to bed, nighttime urination is prevalent in obstructive sleep apnea patients.
- Morning headache: Obstructive sleep apnea can contribute to morning headaches because of rising carbon dioxide levels.
- Restless legs: Restless legs make an overwhelming urge to move the legs. It is difficult to get comfortable enough to fall asleep. The symptoms are usually worse at night. It is frequently found in patients with anemia (iron deficiency), pregnant patients, patient with chronic kidney failure and more.
- Periodic limb movement disorder: It is characterized as repetitive cramping or jerking of the legs during sleep.
- Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia): The repeated awakenings associated with sleep apnea make severe daytime drowsiness, fatigue and irritability. All related effects largely interfere patient’s functions and daily activities such as ability to work and drive safely. Excessive daytime sleepiness is an important warning sign to indicate that immediate medical attention must be sought in order to get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. This symptom is typically found in any sleep abnormalities g. insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy and more.
- Impaired cognitive functions: Disrupted circadian rhythm due to lack of proper sleep is strongly linked with poor cognition and risk of cognitive impairment, in both short- and long-term. If left untreated, it might lead to memory disorders.