What does fatigue feel like with obstructive sleep apnoea?

You may wake with a dry mouth or headache, feel irritable, struggle to focus, or nod off while reading, watching television, or sitting quietly. A bed partner may notice loud snoring, pauses in breathing, choking, or gasping during sleep. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea happens when the upper airway repeatedly narrows or closes during sleep, disturbing normal rest. You may not remember these interruptions, but their effects can continue into the day. Fatigue can have many causes, so these clues need assessment rather than self-diagnosis.

Tell a clinician about daytime sleepiness and ask someone who sleeps nearby what they observe at night. Keep a record of sleep, snoring, morning symptoms, naps, and episodes of unplanned dozing. Avoid driving if you feel likely to fall asleep, and be cautious with alcohol or sedating medicines because they can worsen sleepiness or airway narrowing. A clinician may discuss a sleep assessment and treatments suited to your findings.

Arrange medical advice for persistent daytime sleepiness, witnessed breathing pauses, morning headaches, or difficulty staying awake. Seek urgent help for severe breathlessness, chest pain, fainting, new confusion, or an accident caused by unexpected sleepiness.

Ask whether your symptoms warrant a sleep study, how to reduce safety risks from sleepiness, and which treatments could improve breathing during sleep.