Witnessed Nocturnal Apnea (Gasping and Choking at night)
Since many sleep apnea symptoms occur at night while you’re sleeping, they can be hard to diagnose. However, having a bed partner who witnesses symptoms of sleep apnea can make it much easier to detect sleep apnea. Having a “sleep witness” can help your doctor learn more about your symptoms since they can relay symptoms that you may not even be aware of. Witnessed nocturnal apnea, as it is called, may be a one time occurrence, or it could be a symptom of a much more serious condition.
Witnessed sleep apnea can look like:
- Interrupted snoring that ends with a snort
- Gasping
- Choking
- Waking up after choking or gasping
- Pauses in breathing
- Shallow breaths
- Mood changes
- Fatigue
When your partner has obstructive sleep apnea, their sleeping is generally a symphony of noisy symptoms. Of course, this can affect the sleep of both a person with sleep apnea and their bed partner. In fact, a study posted in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine concluded that partners of people with OSA are more likely to suffer from insomnia and daytime sleepiness. Mood, quality of life, and relationship quality were also affected.
If you are a witness to your partner’s apnea or you have been told by your sleep partner that you are showing signs of sleep apnea, then it is recommended to be evaluated using a home sleep apnea test. Nowadays, sleep apnea treatment can effectively help you AND your partner to get a good night’s sleep every night.
Contact Doctor Dreamweaver today to get your sleep apnea test so you and your partner can sleep well and be well.
