The only reliable way to confirm a diagnosis of OSA is through a sleep study — either a polysomnography or a home sleep test. This measures the number, duration and oxygen impact of apnoea episodes.
Symptoms that may suggest OSA include loud snoring, observed breathing pauses during sleep, waking suddenly short of breath, fragmented sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches and a dry mouth on waking. However, symptoms alone are not sufficient to establish a diagnosis — a formal sleep study is always required.