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