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Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Many people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) do not remember waking up to disruptions in airflow, which can occur hundreds of times every night. In fact, OSA is often first recognized by a sleep partner or roommate, who notices heavy snoring or labored breathing in an attempt to restore normal breathing. The snoring can be loud enough that it disturbs your significant other and could prevent him or her from having a restful night of sleep.

Often, people with sleep apnea do not consult their health care provider until their significant other complains or expresses concerns about loud snoring that is interrupted by periods of silence followed by gasps for air. In your role as family health CEO, be sure to pay attention to your partner's breathing patterns during sleep. You should also ask whether you snore heavily, gasp or stop breathing during the night; you may not know otherwise.

Although loud snoring is often considered the hallmark of OSA, not all snorers have OSA. Patients with OSA often experience excessive sleepiness (ES), which is characterized by an inability to stay awake, even in situations when you want and need to be.

If you have ES, you may feel as though you don't have the energy to complete tasks of daily living, despite getting enough sleep. So, if you or your partner feels unusually sleepy to the point it affects your tasks of daily living, talk with your health care provider right away.

A recent Harris Interactive survey of more than 1,200 women in the general population, sponsored by Cephalon, Inc., found that of those women who reported they may suffer from ES:

• 86 percent said their excessive sleepiness interfered with their productivity at work or home or with daily activities;
• 84 percent said it hindered their mental quickness or memory; and
• 78 percent said that it impacted their time or relationships with family and friends.

If you think you or a loved one may suffer with OSA and/or ES associated with OSA or other common sleep disorders, talk to your health care provider. It's important to seek an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.