The signs and symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas overlap, sometimes making the type of sleep apnea more difficult to determine.

The most common signs and symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas include:

Loud Snoring
Morning Headache
Earaches and/or Tinnitus (Ringing in The Ear)
Hypersomnia (Excessive Daytime Sleepiness)
Observed Episodes of Breathing Cessation During Sleep
Insomnia (Difficulty Staying Asleep)
Fatigue
Neck Pain and/or Neck Discomfort
Abrupt Awakenings Accompanied by Shortness of Breath
Awakening with a Dry Mouth or Sore Throat

Disruptive snoring may be a more prominent characteristic of obstructive sleep apnea, while awakening with shortness of breath may be more common with central sleep apnea.