The following symptoms may indicate that you are suffering from a breathing related sleep disorder.

Snoring during sleep

Due to the serious consequences of sleep suffocation, medical experts consider loud snoring to be sleep suffocation unless otherwise proven.

Gasping for breath during sleep

Sleep suffocation sufferers sometimes dream of not being able to breathe or dream of drowning.

Daytime sleepiness or fatigue

While many sleep apnea sufferers experience daytime sleepiness, up to 50 percent of sufferers have no symptoms.

Depression

Little children get grumpy when they don't get enough sleep. Big people are no different!

Frequent night-time urination

This is the body's way of lowering spiking blood pressure. By dumping fluid, the total body fluid is lowered and blood pressure comes down.

Morning headaches

This is frequently the result of night time elevation of blood pressure. Sometimes people clench their teeth while fighting for air which can cause headaches.

Heartburn

When someone is fighting for air during sleep, there is a tremendous negative intra-thoracic air pressure generated. This negative air pressure within the chest can actually cause the stomach contents to be sucked up during sleep.

The following video demonstrates this unfortunate cause and effect:

Sample video of sleeper fighting for air

High blood pressure

Not being able to easily get air causes the body's alarm to sound. The fight or flight mechanism goes into effect and blood pressure rises.

Impotency

It is not understood specifically why sleep apnea sufferers more frequently experience impotency. However, increased sleepiness and fatigue rarely contribute to an amorous mood!

Lack of dreaming

Many sleep apnea and upper airway resistance suffers have a very difficult time getting to REM sleep where dreaming occurs.

Type Two Diabetes

People with sleep-related breathing disorders are much more likely to develop type two diabetes because they have fragmented sleep. This fragmented sleep impairs their ability to access slow wave sleep where a great deal of glucose regulation takes place. Diabetics who have undiagnosed sleep apnea often find that it is much easier for them to regulate the blood sugar levels after their sleep apnea is properly managed.

Cardiovascular disease

There are many mechanisms that make cardiovascular disease a serious consequence of sleep-related breathing disorders, but none more important that the increase in blood pressure that results from the repetitive fight for oxygen during upper airway collapse.

Stroke

Sleep apnea sufferers are 20 percent more likely to have a stroke. The same mechanisms that cause cardiovascular disease also implicate sleep apnea as a significant risk factor in stroke. 50 percent of people who have a stroke also have obstructive sleep apnea.