Risk Factors & Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder present in about 1 in 5 adults, and in more than 50% of patients with type 2 diabetes; but most people with sleep apnea are undiagnosed.

Sleep apnea is sometimes thought to be a “male disease,” however, one in three people with sleep apnea are women. While many people with sleep apnea are overweight or obese, others are not. Anyone can suffer from sleep apnea.

Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea

Certain factors can increase a person’s risk of having sleep apnea, including:

• Male gender
• Menopausal state
• Excessive weight/central abdominal obesity*
• Large neck (>17” in men; >16” in women)
• Lack of exercise*
• High blood pressure
• Age*
• Ethnicity*

*Risk factors common to both sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes

Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Usually, people with sleep apnea find out they have the condition because a spouse or bed partner noticed them snore or stop breathing during sleep. If you are constantly tired and lack energy, you may be experiencing the effects of sleep apnea. Other common symptoms include:

• Loud snoring
• Choking or gasping during sleep
• Extreme sleepiness during the day
• Fatigue
• Morning headaches
• High blood pressure
• Inability to concentrate
• Memory loss
• Lack of motivation
• Depression

While loud snoring is the classical sign of sleep apnea, not all patients with sleep apnea will present with snoring as the primary sign. Women, in particular, may be more likely to complain of difficulty sleeping, fatigue and depression rather than snoring or witnessed apneas.

If you think you might have sleep apnea, take this short sleep quiz.

Dr. Aliya Ferouz Colburn
on Symptoms of Sleep Apnea