• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Clinical Trials Resource Center
    • Wellness on the Yard
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Immunocompromised Care
    • Top Blacks in Healthcare
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / Health Conditions / Sleep Disorders / 5 Overlooked Signs Of Sleep Apnea

5 Overlooked Signs Of Sleep Apnea

signs of sleep apnea

Evaluating our own sleep is difficult because well, we’re asleep. While we may notice “small” things like waking up to cough or catch our breath, these symptoms are often dismissed about as soon as we fall back into a deep sleep. Sleep apnea speculations are usually brought on by a loved one who has noticed that you have an abnormal breathing pattern while you’re asleep or worse, your sleeping pattern has disrupted their ability to sleep altogether. While these concerns are often addressed in a humorous manner initially, sleep apnea is no laughing matter.

READ: Consequences of Sleep Deprivation

Being sleep deficient can lead to a number of serious illnesses. Sleep apnea alone can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke, obesity and diabetes according to the HeartBEAT study.

Here are some signs that may mean you’re due for a sleep test.

1. Morning headaches

Morning headaches are a very common sign of sleep apnea.

You May Also Like
When Your Pudge Just Won't Budge! What to Do When Belly Fat Won't Go Away

“It started with waking up with severe headaches where taking Advil or other over-the-counter medicine did not help… Obviously, I never put two and two together to recognize that I was having an issue. Today, I sleep with a CPAP machine. I no longer have headaches and I have lost about twenty pounds,” says Janice Elliot-Howard, author of The Confident Tells.

READ: What Happens If Sleep Apnea Is Left Untreated?

2. Daytime sleepiness

Sleep apnea affects your ability to get a good night’s sleep. So, experiencing daytime sleepiness, i.e., falling asleep anytime you’re in a quiet and comfortable position during normal daytime activities, may be a sign of sleep apnea.

It’s common for those with sleep apnea to feel as though they’ve gotten a full night’s sleep, regardless of the many interruptions. So, they may not associate feeling tired with symptoms of sleep apnea, according to Mayo Clinic. 

3. Irregular breathing pattern

One of the most common signs of sleep apnea is breathing cessations, or longer than normal pauses between breaths. It’s also one of the most frightening, for the person who has sleep apnea and the person who observes it.

You May Also Like
Does PNH Feel Like a Burden Within? Consider a Clinical Trial. PNH Clinical Trial Enrolling - See If You’re Eligible

“I was afraid to go to sleep. Eventually, I was told to see a doctor and address my health issues or

Continue Reading

The Latest In Sleep Disorders

sleep positions

The Worst Sleep Position for Your Body

Did you know that how you sleep affects your health?  There are some common sleep positions that could be good or bad for you. See which one applies to you below: 1. On Your Back, Arms at Sides Sleeping on read more about The Worst Sleep Position for Your Body
Tips on how to sleep better at night

9 Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep

When counting sheep just won't do, you need a plan of attack to make sure you get your rest. Here are the top tips for a good night's sleep that you may not have heard of before. RELATED: 7 Bedtime Behaviors read more about 9 Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep

Sleep Apnea: Hidden Warning Signs

Sleep apnea is a respiratory disorder wherein breathing stops for brief periods of time, often dozens of times per night. Three Types of Sleep Apnea There are three general types of sleep apnea: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Central Sleep Apnea read more about Sleep Apnea: Hidden Warning Signs
sleep apnea

Sleep Apnea Speeds Aging, Here’s How to Reverse It

Research shows that although sleep apnea is common among Blacks, it is largely undiagnosed (nearly 95 percent of cases, were undiagnosed and untreated). Sleep apnea has an ever-growing list of health problems including heart disease, high blood pressure, and other read more about Sleep Apnea Speeds Aging, Here’s How to Reverse It
CPAP machine

Sleep Apnea 101: Everything You Need To Know For A Better Sleep

Sleep apnea is a common disorder that can be very serious. In sleep apnea, your breathing stops or gets very shallow while you are sleeping. Each pause typically lasts 10-20 seconds or more. These pauses can occur 20 to 30 times read more about Sleep Apnea 101: Everything You Need To Know For A Better Sleep
good night's sleep

10 Tips for a Better Night’s Sleep

In today’s times, it may be hard to get a good night’s sleep. So much is going on. The Insurrection at the Capital. The Pandemic. The Economy.  When you do get a good night’s sleep, it is such a pleasure. read more about 10 Tips for a Better Night’s Sleep

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

Singer of 90’s R&B Group Passes Away at 43

Singer of 90’s R&B Group Passes Away at 43

Woman Loses Arms & Legs After Eating Tilapia — Should You Be Worried?

Woman Loses Arms & Legs After Eating Tilapia — Should You Be Worried?

Black History of Health: Toni Braxton

Toni Braxton

Is There A Remedy For “Stiff” Knees?

stiff knee remedy

The 6 Pillars Of Dementia Prevention

dementia prevention
Find a Culturally Sensitive Doctor

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2023, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.