Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops for 10 seconds or longer during sleep. Sleep apnea can seriously affect a person's health, behavior, and ability to learn. It is more common in people who have Down syndrome, achondroplasia, Hunter syndrome, Hurler syndrome, Sanfilippo syndrome, spina bifida, and Arnold-Chiari malformation.
Behaviors that may be telling you about sleep apnea include:
Breathes through the mouth when asleep
Sleeps in unusual positions--sitting up, in a chair, using several pillows, in knee-chest position, or with the neck tilted back
Snores loudly, then is silent, then gasps
Jerks or starts suddenly during sleep
Wakes often during the night
Wets the bed
Sweats heavily at night
Behavior is worse in the morning
Complains of headache in morning
Breathes through mouth when awake
Daytime sleepiness; frequently falls asleep (such as when riding in the car, even for short distances)
Frequent naps
Fatigue
Can't concentrate
Irritability
Forgetfulness
Anxiety or depression
Other factors that may indicate the presence of sleep apnea:
Underweight or failure to thrive
Unusual face or head structure
Floppy muscle tone
Morning headache
Obesity
Do you think someone's behavior may be telling you about sleep apnea? Talk with your doctor or other health care provider. They can work with you to learn whether this is the case.
The contents of this website are for information purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not rely on the information provided for medical decision making and should direct all questions regarding medical matters to their physician or other health care provider. Use of this information does not create an express or implied physician-patient relationship.