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Other conditions with symptoms similar to sleep apnea

Conditions and diseases with symptoms similar to sleep apnea (such as breathing problems, sleep disturbances, and daytime sleepiness) include:

Other sleep disorders, such as suddenly falling asleep (narcolepsy) or having your arms or legs move uncontrollably while you sleep (periodic leg movement disorder).
Heart failure.
Respiratory problems, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Heartburn may be a symptom of sleep apnea.
Sleep-associated seizures (temporal lobe epilepsy).
Hay fever (allergic rhinitis).
An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).
Drug addiction or dependency.
Depression.

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Mark A. Rasmus, MD - Pulmonology, Critical Care Medicine, Sleep Medicine
Last Revised	July 9, 2009

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: July 09, 2009

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.