Nighttime symptoms may mean it's time to see a doctor

Experts say signs that occur during sleep — such as gasping or loud snoring, parasomnias like sleepwalking or sleep-related eating, chronic nightmares, and frequent nighttime urination — can reflect sleep disorders or other medical conditions.

Experts report that a range of symptoms can occur during sleep and may signal sleep disorders or other health conditions. An estimated 50 to 70 million Americans are affected by sleep-related problems, and many signs are easy to miss at night. Clinicians note that symptoms such as gasping, loud snoring, parasomnias and frequent nighttime urination are often linked with underlying issues. Because these signs commonly appear while a person is asleep, daytime fatigue or other effects may be the first obvious clue. Key points: - Gasping for air and loud snoring are commonly associated with sleep apnea; other contributors can include postnasal drip and acid reflux, and a sleep study is often used to evaluate breathing disruptions. - Parasomnias — including sleepwalking, sleep talking and sleep-related eating — are reported to arise with sleep deprivation, stress, certain medications or alcohol and can carry safety and health risks. - Chronic nightmares and frequent nighttime urination (nocturia) are described as sometimes reflecting psychological conditions or medical issues such as anxiety, depression, urinary tract problems or metabolic conditions. - Consumer sleep trackers, bedside devices and bed sensors can record breathing, movement and heart-rate patterns; clinicians may use such data to inform whether further clinical testing is indicated, though these devices do not replace formal diagnosis. Summary: These nighttime signs are reported to reflect a range of sleep disorders and other medical conditions and can affect daytime functioning. Undetermined at this time.