Sleeping 8-10 hours but still feeling sleepy? Doctor explains 5 signs that could mean sleep apnea

Sleeping 8-10 hours but still feeling tired? Learn the warning signs of sleep apnea, including loud snoring, daytime sleepiness and disturbed sleep, when you should get a sleep study, and the treatment options doctors may recommend.

New Delhi: Getting a full night’s sleep but still waking up exhausted? Persistent daytime sleepiness, loud snoring and repeated awakenings may be more than signs of a poor night’s rest. They could point to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common sleep-related breathing disorder in which the upper airway repeatedly narrows or becomes blocked during sleep.

Dr G. Chaitanya Kiran, Consultant – Interventional Pulmonology & Sleep Medicine at Manipal Hospitals, Bhubaneswar, in an interview with News9 Live, said people should pay attention when adequate sleep does not translate into feeling refreshed.

Snoring is not always harmless

Loud, persistent snoring is one of the most recognisable warning signs of OSA, but snoring alone does not mean a person has sleep apnea. Other symptoms can include breathing pauses during sleep, gasping or choking, daytime sleepiness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and frequent nighttime awakenings. Some people may be unaware of their nighttime symptoms unless a bed partner notices them.

“Quality of sleep is very important,” Dr Kiran says, highlighting why the focus should not be only on the number of hours spent in bed.

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