Obstructive sleep apnea

Alternative names:

sleep apnea - obstructive

Symptoms:

• loud snoring
• snoring interrupted by periods of not breathing (apnea)
• breath cessation during sleep
• frequent night awakening
• awakening not rested in the morning
• abnormal daytime sleepiness
• headaches
• recent weight gain
• limited attention
• memory loss
• poor judgment
• personality changes
• lethargy

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• swelling, overall (edema)
• hallucinations
• consciousness, decreased
• confusion
• blood pressure, high

Signs and tests:

A physical examination of the mouth and throat (oropharynx) is given to detect abnormalities.

Tests may include:

• sleep studies
• an ECG to show arrhythmias during sleep
• an arterial blood gases to show low oxygen during sleep