2. Witnessed Breathing Pauses During Sleep
Perhaps the most alarming symptom is when someone notices you stop breathing during sleep. These pauses can last from a few seconds to a minute or longer. Your brain eventually recognizes the oxygen shortage and briefly wakes you to restart breathing. Most people don’t remember these episodes, making this symptom particularly sneaky. If someone has told you they’ve watched you stop breathing during sleep, take it seriously, this is the defining characteristic of obstructive sleep apnea.
