4 Surprising Signs You Might Have Sleep Apnea
May 9, 2025
When most people think of sleep apnea, loud snoring and excessive daytime fatigue often come to mind. While these are common symptoms, sleep apnea signs often appear in subtle and unexpected ways. Many people live with undiagnosed sleep apnea because they don’t recognize the less obvious signs.
If left untreated, sleep apnea can increase your risk of serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Understanding these less-obvious indicators can help you know when to speak with your doctor and could ultimately improve your quality of life.
Here are four surprising signs that could suggest you have sleep apnea.
1. Morning Headaches
Waking up with a headache may not seem immediately connected to last night’s sleep, but it can be a textbook sign of sleep apnea. These headaches often feel like dull, pressing pain on both sides of the head, rather than the throbbing sensation typical of migraines.
Why does this happen?
During an apnea episode, your airway becomes partially or completely blocked, restricting airflow and reducing oxygen levels in your blood. This drop in oxygen, known as hypoxemia, can lead to the widening of blood vessels, resulting in increased blood flow and pressure within the head — a leading cause of morning headaches. Additionally, carbon dioxide buildup due to poor ventilation can further exacerbate headaches.
When to be concerned
If you experience headaches regularly upon waking, especially in combination with other symptoms like dry mouth, fatigue or difficulty concentrating, it may be worth exploring the possibility of sleep apnea with your healthcare provider.
2. Mood Changes and Irritability
No judgment here. Everyone feels cranky after a poor night’s sleep, but if you find yourself persistently irritable, anxious or struggling with low mood, sleep apnea could be the culprit. Disrupted sleep cycles and inadequate restorative sleep have a direct impact on the way you regulate your emotions.
Why does this happen?
Sleep is essential for maintaining brain health. When sleep is fragmented by frequent apnea episodes, the brain misses out on the deep, restorative stages of sleep, particularly REM sleep, which plays a key role in emotional processing. The resulting sleep deprivation can lead to heightened emotional sensitivity, poor stress management, and an increased risk of depression and anxiety.
Sleep apnea can also affect the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, both of which influence mood and emotional well-being. Without proper sleep, these chemical imbalances can amplify mood disturbances.
When to be concerned
If you notice persistent irritability, mood swings or heightened anxiety without an apparent cause, it’s a good idea to discuss your symptoms with your healthcare provider – especially if these symptoms are accompanied by snoring or disrupted sleep.
3. Frequent Nighttime Bathroom Trips (Nocturia)
While getting up once or twice at night to urinate is generally normal, frequent nighttime bathroom trips — known as nocturia — may be a lesser-known sign of sleep apnea.
Why does this happen?
During episodes of sleep apnea, the body experiences brief awakenings as it attempts to restore normal breathing. These awakenings often trigger a hormonal response that increases urine production. Specifically, the hormone atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is released in response to the stress placed on the heart from oxygen deprivation. ANP signals the kidneys to produce more urine, leading to frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom.
Additionally, fragmented sleep can heighten the body’s perception of the need to urinate, even if the bladder isn’t particularly full. This creates a cycle of interrupted sleep and excessive nighttime urination.
When to be concerned
If you find yourself waking up multiple times a night to urinate, especially if you also experience snoring, choking sensations during sleep or unexplained daytime fatigue, sleep apnea could be a potential cause.
4. Difficulty Focusing and Memory Problems
Struggling to stay focused, remember details or concentrate on tasks could be a sign of sleep apnea. While occasional forgetfulness is normal, persistent cognitive issues may indicate poor sleep quality caused by frequent apnea episodes.
Why does this happen?
When your sleep is repeatedly interrupted, your brain doesn’t get enough time in the deeper stages of sleep, particularly REM sleep, which is essential for cognitive function. Sleep apnea can impair memory consolidation, slow down thinking processes and reduce your ability to concentrate. Additionally, the lack of oxygen during apnea events can further affect brain function over time.
When to be concerned
If you notice frequent forgetfulness, difficulty focusing at work, or find yourself feeling mentally “foggy” throughout the day — especially alongside other symptoms like snoring or excessive fatigue — it may be time to speak with your healthcare provider about sleep apnea.
What to Do if You Notice These Signs
If one or more of these symptoms resonate with you, don’t ignore them. Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can impact your quality of life and long-term health.
Here’s what you can do next:
1. Track Your Symptoms – Keep a sleep journal to note your sleep patterns, any nighttime disturbances and how you feel in the morning. If possible, ask a partner or family member if they’ve noticed any signs like loud snoring or gasping during sleep.
2. Talk to Your Doctor – Share your concerns with your healthcare provider. They may recommend a sleep study, which can be done at a sleep center or through a home sleep apnea test.
3. Make Lifestyle Adjustments – In the meantime, consider making small changes like sleeping on your side, avoiding alcohol before bed and maintaining a healthy weight — all of which can reduce sleep apnea symptoms.
4. Explore Treatment Options – If you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea, treatment options may include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances or lifestyle modifications. Your healthcare provider will work with you to determine the most appropriate treatment.
How the Pulmonary and Sleep Experts at TMH Physician Partners Can Help
Recognizing the unexpected signs of sleep apnea can be the first step toward better health and quality of life. Morning headaches, mood changes, frequent nighttime urination and cognitive ability might not seem related to a sleep disorder at first, but they could be your body’s way of signaling that you need better sleep.
If you suspect that you may have sleep apnea, the team at TMH Physician Partners - Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep is here to help, with offices in Tallahassee and Panama City Beach. They provide comprehensive care to diagnose and treat sleep disorders, helping patients regain restful, restorative sleep.
They may recommend a sleep study, either at home or at our sleep center, to monitor your vitals and overall sleep quality. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, they will create a personalized treatment plan to help you get a good night’s sleep, every night.
