You may have sleep apnea without knowing it. Sleep apnea develops over many years and may take a while to present. 

The two main symptoms are: 

1. Excessive daytime sleepiness that cannot be explained by other causes 
2. Loud snoring with pauses in breathing 

Other symptoms or conditions include: 

• Waking with a dry mouth
• Morning headache 
• Irritability
• Gasping or choking during sleep 
• Lack of concentration when awake
• High blood pressure 
• Diabetes 
• Heart, liver and kidney disease 
• Depression 
• Impotence

What is excessive daytime sleepiness?  

If you fall asleep when watching a movie, talking to someone, or even driving, this would be considered excessive sleepiness and possibly means you may have sleep apnea. You can determine how sleepy you are by doing an online version of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. 

Risk factors 

Any combination of the following may increase your risk of having OSA: 

• Obesity or excess weight 
• Large, thick neck 
• Being male 
• Being older 
• Family history of obstructive sleep apnea 
• Smoking 
• Recessed chin (chin pulled backward to your neck) 
• Large tonsils or other anatomical changes in upper airway and nose 
• Certain medical conditions 

Sleep apnea is a serious, possibly life-threatening condition. 

Risks linked to untreated sleep apnea: 

• You may develop high blood pressure or Type II Diabetes 
• Your risk of heart attack or stroke increases
• Your memory and concentration can be poor 
• You are at much greater risk of causing a motor vehicle accident 
• You may develop an irregular heartbeat