Headaches are a common symptom in sleep apnea. Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. And not everyone with sleep apnea has headaches. However, sleep apnea is a leading diagnosis for someone who snores and has morning headaches. Other symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• Daytime drowsiness. For example, people with sleep apnea often fall asleep while driving, in meetings, on the telephone, etc.
• Not feeling refreshed after a night’s sleep.
• Nighttime restlessness.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Decreased sex drive.
• Bizarre dreams, or absence of dreams altogether.
• High blood pressure that is difficult to control.

People with sleep apnea breathe abnormally while they sleep. They may have shallow breathing. Or they may stop breathing for short periods of time. In more severe cases, the abnormal breathing leads to low oxygen levels in the blood. In turn, poor oxygen flow to the brain probably causes the headaches.

If you are experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea, talk to your doctor. You may need a sleep test (polysomnogram).