Most sleep apnoea sufferers complain of daytime tiredness and extreme fatigue. They can fall asleep during daytime activities, struggle with morning headaches and have trouble concentrating.
They may also be irritable, forgetful, suffer from weight gain, increased heart rate, feel anxious, suffer from depression, memory or learning problems, frequent urination during the night, a dry mouth upon awakening, heartburn, insomnia, reduced libido and mood or behaviour changes. One of the most obvious is loud snoring.
Sleep apnoea is noted as a sleeping disorder where the sufferer stops breathing several times during sleep. In serious cases, breathing may stop 40-60 seconds at a time, and this can happen up to 10 times per hour.
Generally the louder the snoring, the more likely the sleeper has the illness. When we sleep, the muscle in the throat relaxes. As we inhale during sleep, suction and air passing through the throat causes the soft tissue sides to pull inward. The throat is then pulled inward, rebounds then pulls inward again, creating rapid vibration. The vibrating flesh creates snoring.