What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Author: Sharon Jang | Reviewer: Viet Vu | Published: 10 March 2020 | Updated: ~

Illustration accompanying What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Some of the most common symptoms of sleep apnea in individuals with spinal cord injury include:

  • Feeling unrefreshed after a night’s sleep
  • Difficulty concentrating when you are awake
  • Feeling sleepy during the day, as assessed by the Epworth Sleepiness Questionnaire in clinics
  • Difficulties falling asleep
  • Awakening multiple times throughout the night
  • Snoring during sleep
  • Choking or gasping for air during sleep

Although the above are symptoms of sleep apnea, it is important to note that these same symptoms can result from secondary complications from a spinal cord injury (e.g., pain, spasticity, posture).