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Warning Symptoms

Common signs of sleep apnea are:

Loud snoring that may be heard throughout the house

Snoring that is interrupted by pauses, then gasps.

Frequent daytime exhaustion

Falling asleep at inopportune times, such as at work or while driving

Short attention spans

Forgetfulness, irritability, anxiety or depression

Awaking frequently, gasping for air, and thrashing about during sleep

Loss of interest in sex

Children with Sleep Apnea
Even though the precise relationship is still unknown, sleep apnea has been linked to some cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Ongoing research is evaluating the possible role of sleep apnea as a factor in SIDS.

Sleep apnea is most frequently diagnosed in children who are overweight or have enlarged tonsils and adenoids. A child with sleep apnea may snore, squeak, have difficulty breathing and sleep fitfully. Because snoring is not normal for children, parents should report this to their family physician. As children with sleep apnea get older, they may seem sluggish and perform poorly in school. These children are sometimes labeled as "slow" or "lazy."

Learn more about children with sleep apnea at the Pediatric Sleep Center.