Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea - Symptoms of Sleep Apnea in Diabetes

Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
SleepApneaDiabetes.com

Sleep apnea is present in about 1 in 5 adults, and in more than 50% of patients with type 2 diabetes; but the vast majority of people with sleep apnea are undiagnosed.

Common misperceptions are that sleep apnea is a “male disease,” and that only obese people suffer from sleep apnea. The stereotypical patient with sleep apnea is a middle-aged, overweight male; however, anyone can suffer from this condition.
Risk factors for sleep apnea

* Male gender
* Menopausal state
* Excessive weight/ central abdominal obesity*
* Large neck circumference (>17″ in men; >16″ in women)
* Physical inactivity*
* Diagnosis of hypertension
* Excess tissue in the upper airway
* Age*
* Ethnicity*
* Excessive use of alcohol or sedatives
* Endocrine and metabolic disorders
* Family history of sleep apnea

*Risk factors common to both sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes

Symptoms of sleep apnea

Nighttime symptoms
Snoring
Pauses in breathing during sleep
Choking
Recurrent awakenings
Palpitations
Nocturia
Restlessness

Daytime symptoms
EDS (Excessive Daytime Somnolence)
Fatigue
High blood pressure
Depression, Irritability
Morning headaches
Impaired memory & concentration
Automobile accidents

Snoring and Sleep Apnea

While loud snoring is the classical symptom of sleep apnea, not all patients with sleep apnea will present with snoring as the primary symptom.

Women, in particular, may be more likely to complain of fatigue and depression rather than snoring or witnessed apneas.

Sleep apnea severely diminishes a patient’s quality of life and increases the risk of other serious health conditions, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

1 Ohayon MM. J Clin Psychiatry 2003;64:1195-2000
2 Schwartz DJ and Karantinos G. J Clin Sleep Med 2007;3:631-5