---
title: Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
---

[![resmed_h_pos_clr_rgb_250121](https://ap.resmed.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo/resmed_h_pos_clr_rgb_250121.png?width=140&height=29&name=resmed_h_pos_clr_rgb_250121.png "resmed_h_pos_clr_rgb_250121")](https://ap.resmed.com)

# Common symptoms of sleep apnea

It’s important to recognise the symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea (CSA) in patients.

One of the most recognisable symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea is [snoring](https://ap.resmed.com/healthcare-professional/sleep-apnea/sleep-disordered-breathing/snoring), even though many patients ignore this sign or fail to recognise it as a symptom of a more serious condition.

## Other symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing

As well as snoring, symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing may include:

- Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)
- Weight gain
- Poor concentration
- Fatigue
- Morning headaches
- Forgetfulness
- Depressed mood
- Sexual dysfunction
- Night sweats
- Nocturia

If your patient presents with any of these symptoms, it’s important to talk to them about SDB and [recommend a sleep test.](https://ap.resmed.com/healthcare-professional/sleep-apnea/sleep-disordered-breathing/screening-and-diagnosis)

These symptoms can also be caused by other conditions so accurate diagnosis is important.

## What are the symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing in children?

### Sleep-disordered breathing also affects up to 3%1 of children, with common symptoms including:

- Habitual snoring (which affects about 3.2 – 12%1,2 of children)
- Noisy breathing/increased work of breathing
- Pauses in breathing with noisy resumption of breathing
- Chronic mouth breathing
- Behavioural problems, such as hyperactivity and aggressiveness
- Restless sleep

### There are a number of risk factors that could also predispose children to having sleep-disordered breathing, including:

- Adenotonsillar hypertrophy
- Craniofacial malformation
- Congenital syndromes (e.g. Down’s, Marfan’s, Pierre Robin Sequence, Achondroplasia)
- Obesity

If symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing are observed in a child, it’s important to either refer the child to a paediatric sleep physician and/or [recommend a sleep test](https://ap.resmed.com/healthcare-professional/sleep-apnea/sleep-disordered-breathing/screening-and-diagnosis) to determine whether he or she has a breathing disorder. Find out how to request a sleep test.

## More about sleep-disordered breathing

![types-of-sleep-disordered-breathing-resmed](https://ap.resmed.com/hubfs/HYM%20-%20B2B/Sleep-care/types-of-sleep-disordered-breathing-resmed.jpg)

[Types of sleep apnea](https://ap.resmed.com/healthcare-professional/sleep-apnea/sleep-disordered-breathing/types-of-sleep-apnea)

There are three types of sleep apnea: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) and mixed or complex sleep apnea. Each type has distinctive characteristics that enable diagnosis.

[Read more](https://ap.resmed.com/healthcare-professional/sleep-apnea/sleep-disordered-breathing/types-of-sleep-apnea)

![comorbidities-associated-with-sleep-apnoea-resmed-400x300](https://ap.resmed.com/hubfs/comorbidities-associated-with-sleep-apnoea-resmed-400x300.jpg)

[Associated comorbidities](https://ap.resmed.com/healthcare-professional/sleep-apnea/sleep-disordered-breathing/associated-comorbidities)

When left untreated, patients with SDB have an increased risk of developing serious chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. A significant number of patients with COPD also have SDB.

[Read more](https://ap.resmed.com/healthcare-professional/sleep-apnea/sleep-disordered-breathing/associated-comorbidities)

![screening-diagnosis-sleep-apnoea-resmed-400x300](https://ap.resmed.com/hubfs/HYM%20-%20B2B/Sleep-care/screening-diagnosis-sleep-apnoea-resmed-400x300.jpg)

[Screening and diagnosis](https://ap.resmed.com/healthcare-professional/sleep-apnea/sleep-disordered-breathing/screening-and-diagnosis)

ResMed gives you the tools to screen your patients for sleep-disordered breathing, request a sleep study, and get them diagnosed.

[Read More](https://ap.resmed.com/healthcare-professional/sleep-apnea/sleep-disordered-breathing/screening-and-diagnosis)

#### References

1

Gislason T, et al. Chest. 1995

1

Gislason T, et al. Chest. 1995

2

Castronovo V, et al. J of Pediatrics. 2003

[![](https://ap.resmed.com/hubfs/social-media-icon-facebook.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/ResMedAmericas/) [![](https://ap.resmed.com/hubfs/social-media-icon-twitter.svg)](https://www.resmed.com/en-us/about-us/#) [![](https://ap.resmed.com/hubfs/social-media-icon-linkedin.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/authwall) [![](https://ap.resmed.com/hubfs/social-media-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwjFC_AikD4--KeVnU7mbJg)

© 2025 ResMed All rights reserved