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.