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Clinical features

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Possible clinical features include:

  • loud snores
    • typically present for many years (often from childhood)
    • may be exacerbated following the ingestion of alcohol before bedtime or following an increase in body weight
  • apnoeic episodes characterized by cessation of breathing/choking episodes
    • usually noticed by the bed partner and sometimes he/she may awaken the patient to reestablish the breathing
    • termination of the apnoeic event is often associated with loud snores and vocalizations that consist of gasps, moans, or mumblings
    • patients are often unaware of these loud snoring and breathing difficulty or of the frequent arousals and brief awakenings that occur throughout the night.
  • excessive daytime sleepiness
    • most common presenting symptom
    • causes day time fatigue and concentration difficulties
    • occurs when the patient is relaxing e.g. - when sitting, reading or watching television
    • in extreme cases patient may fall asleep while actively conversing, eating, walking or driving
  • in addition there can be symptoms which are commonly observed upon awakening
    • feeling unrefreshed
    • feelings of disorientation, grogginess, mental dullness, and incoordination
  • severe dryness of the mouth – often results in patient drinking water during the night or upon waking in the morning
  • morning headaches – characteristically dull and generalized and often lasts for 1-2 hours
  • irritability, changes in personality
  • nocturia
  • loss of libido
  • sleep quality of bedpartners may also be affected (1,2,3)

Note:

  • obstructive sleep apnoea may be a modifiable factor for vascular disease

Reference:


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