Pulmonologist Suman Pol and sleep specialist Brooke Judd have identified five hidden daytime signs of sleep apnea, a disorder marked by sudden pauses in breathing during sleep. The doctors shared the warning signs in an interview with Parade.
Pol said the first daytime symptom is intense fatigue, explaining that frequent breathing interruptions during sleep prevent the body from fully recovering. She said apnea can also cause morning headaches, triggered by the oxygen deficit that results from the breathing pauses. Apnea can additionally lower libido in both men and women, according to Pol.
Drowsiness and brain fog
Judd said the condition can also cause daytime drowsiness and brain fog. Judd warned that the sleepiness is sometimes severe enough that a person may unintentionally fall asleep during a conversation or while driving. The report also noted that people with apnea can experience elevated blood pressure.
Risks of ignoring the disorder
The doctors stressed that sleep apnea should not be ignored. They said it can contribute to cardiovascular disease and raises the risk of Parkinson's disease and dementia.
