SYMPTOMS THAT NO AMOUNT OF SLEEP WILL CURE

Very often a person suffering from sleep apnea may not be aware of his/her snoring and breathing irregularities during sleep. The spouse is usually the first to recognize the symptoms and is disturbed during the night by loud snoring or restless movements of the bed partner. The person may only recognize that he or she is excessively sleepy during the day, even though he or she slept through the night.

Symptoms while asleep:
Loud irregular snoring, snorting or gasping for breath; sudden body

movements before the person starts to breathe again; excessive sweating during sleep; irregular pounding or beating of the heart when gasping for breath.

Symptoms while awake:
Excessive daytime sleepiness and/or fatigue; complaints of insomnia or lack of restful sleep; rapid weight gain sometimes to the point of obesity; confusion or brief memory loss upon awakening; unexplained morning headache; high blood pressure; impotence; personality changes; depression.

SLEEP APNEA IN CHILDREN

OSA has been linked to some cases of

udden infant death syndrome (SIDS), although the exact relationship is still uncertain. Ongoing research is evaluating the role of OSA as a possible factor in SIDS.

OSAS may be present in children who are overweight and those who have enlarged tonsils and adenoids.

Children with OSAS may:
snore or "squeak" during sleep.

appear to have difficulty breathing during sleep - sleep fitfully.

have daytime hyperactivity (sleepy children often become fussy and overactive rather than appearing to be sleepy).