7 Signs You Might Have Sleep Apnea (And What to Do About It)

Published in honor of Sleep Apnea Awareness Month – May 2025

Sleep is essential for health and wellness, yet millions of people unknowingly suffer from sleep apnea—a condition that disrupts breathing during sleep and leads to poor rest and long-term health complications. If you often wake up tired despite a full night in bed, sleep apnea might be the culprit. Here are seven signs to watch for and what you can do about them.

1. Loud, Persistent Snoring

While not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, loud and chronic snoring is one of the most common symptoms. If your partner often nudges you during the night or if your snoring wakes you up, it’s worth paying attention.

2. Gasping or Choking During Sleep

Sleep apnea causes interrupted breathing, which can lead to choking, snorting, or gasping as your body struggles to take in oxygen. This disruption often prevents restful sleep and can be dangerous over time.

3. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

Do you find yourself dozing off at your desk or fighting to stay awake during meetings? Constant fatigue during the day is a red flag, especially if you’re getting a full 7–9 hours of sleep each night.

4. Morning Headaches

Waking up with headaches can be a sign of oxygen deprivation caused by sleep apnea. These headaches usually go away after a few hours but are persistent enough to affect your mornings.

5. Difficulty Concentrating

Poor sleep affects your ability to focus, remember things, and complete tasks. If your mental clarity has been slipping lately, sleep apnea could be impacting your cognitive function.

6. Mood Changes or Depression

Interrupted sleep can wreak havoc on your mood. If you’ve been feeling more irritable, anxious, or down lately—especially with no obvious cause—your sleep quality may be to blame.

7. Dry Mouth or Sore Throat in the Morning

Sleep apnea can cause you to breathe through your mouth at night, leading to dryness or irritation when you wake up.

What You Can Do About It

1. Consult a Healthcare Professional: Only a doctor can diagnose sleep apnea through a sleep study.
2. Upgrade Your Mattress: A supportive mattress that promotes spinal alignment and open airways can reduce apnea symptoms, especially for side sleepers.
3. Maintain a Healthy Weight: Excess weight can contribute to airway obstruction.
4. Sleep on Your Side: Side sleeping is generally better for those with sleep apnea.
5. Avoid Alcohol and Sedatives: These can relax throat muscles and make symptoms worse.

Your sleep is your health. Don’t ignore the signs.

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