Sleep Apnoea: Signs You Should Not Ignore, Even If You Sleep All Night

By LeadNG -
  By LEADNG | Health Education Writer Last updated: 14 October 2026 You went to bed early, slept for several hours and woke up expecting to feel refreshed. Instead, you have a headache, your body feels heavy, and you struggle to stay alert during the day. You might blame your workload, the weather, stress or simply not getting enough rest. But what if you are spending enough time in bed and still not getting good-quality sleep? One possible explanation is sleep apnoea , a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Some people with sleep apnoea snore loudly or gasp for air at night. Others mainly notice daytime tiredness, difficulty concentrating or waking up feeling unrefreshed. These symptoms do not automatically mean you have sleep apnoea. However, recognising the pattern can help you know when to seek medical advice. What exactly is sleep apnoea? Sleep apnoea is a sleep-related breathing disorder. The most common type is obstructive sleep aponia, whic...
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Hepatitis Symptoms: Signs You Should Not Ignore and When to Get Tested

By LeadNG -

 

You can have hepatitis without knowing it.

That is one of the reasons hepatitis can be difficult to detect early. Some people may have few symptoms or no obvious symptoms at all, even while the infection is affecting the liver.

This matters in Nigeria because viral hepatitis remains an important public health concern. The 2026 WHO Global Hepatitis Report says hepatitis B and C continue to cause a major share of viral-hepatitis deaths worldwide, while the WHO African Region accounts for a large proportion of new hepatitis B infections. Nigeria is also continuing national efforts to improve hepatitis testing, vaccination and treatment.

So what symptoms should you look out for?

The Problem

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. It can have different causes, including viral infections such as hepatitis A, B, C, D and E.

The symptoms can vary depending on the type of hepatitis and whether the infection is short-term or becomes chronic.

Some possible symptoms include:

  • Feeling unusually tired or weak

  • Loss of appetite

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Fever

  • Abdominal discomfort or pain

  • Dark-coloured urine

  • Pale or unusually light-coloured stool

  • Yellowing of the eyes or skin, known as jaundice

  • Joint pain in some cases

However, having one of these symptoms does not automatically mean you have hepatitis.

The important point is that some people with viral hepatitis may have few symptoms or none at all. This is particularly important with hepatitis B and C, which can become chronic and cause serious liver problems over time.

This is why waiting until you feel seriously ill before getting tested may not be a good strategy.

A Realistic Example

Imagine a young Nigerian who occasionally feels tired and has little appetite.

They assume it is because of stress, work, poor sleep or skipping meals.

A few weeks later, they notice that their urine looks darker than usual. They may still decide to buy medication from a pharmacy because they think it is malaria or another common illness.

But symptoms alone cannot tell you whether the problem is malaria, hepatitis or something else.

A healthcare professional may recommend testing to find the actual cause.

This is one reason it is dangerous to diagnose yourself based only on symptoms.

The Impact

Hepatitis can become more serious when it is not identified and managed appropriately.

Chronic hepatitis B and C can damage the liver over time and increase the risk of complications such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. WHO reports that hepatitis B and C together caused about 1.3 million deaths globally in 2024.

The challenge is that a person can feel relatively normal while the infection is still present.

Nigeria's 2024 Demographic and Health Survey reported that awareness and testing for hepatitis B remain limited among Nigerians aged 15–49, showing why public awareness and access to testing remain important.

The good news is that hepatitis is not simply a disease people have to “wait and see” about.

Hepatitis B can be prevented with vaccination, while hepatitis B and C can be detected through testing and managed with appropriate medical care. Hepatitis C can also be cured with effective treatment.

Practical Solutions

1. Consider testing instead of guessing

If you are concerned that you may have been exposed to hepatitis, speak with a healthcare professional about appropriate testing.

Do not rely on symptoms alone.

2. Know your hepatitis B status

Testing can help you know whether you have an infection, whether you have been exposed previously, or whether you need vaccination or further medical advice.

3. Get vaccinated against hepatitis B

There is an effective vaccine against hepatitis B.

WHO recommends hepatitis B vaccination as an important prevention measure, including timely vaccination for newborns.

4. Avoid sharing items that may carry blood

Do not share items such as razors, toothbrushes or other personal equipment that may become contaminated with blood.

Be especially careful with procedures involving needles or sharp instruments.

5. Make sure injections and medical procedures are performed safely

Unsafe injections and exposure to contaminated sharp instruments can transmit hepatitis B and C. Use qualified healthcare providers and properly sterilised or single-use equipment.

6. Do not treat yourself based only on symptoms

Tiredness, fever, poor appetite and stomach discomfort can have many possible causes.

If symptoms persist, become severe, or you are worried about possible exposure, get medical advice rather than assuming the cause.

7. Pregnant women should discuss hepatitis testing with their healthcare provider

Hepatitis B can pass from an infected mother to her baby around the time of birth. Testing during pregnancy and appropriate medical care can help reduce this risk.

A Question for You

When was the last time you checked your hepatitis status?

Many people only think about hepatitis when someone around them is diagnosed or when they develop symptoms.

But because hepatitis can sometimes exist without obvious symptoms, knowing your status can be more useful than waiting for your body to give you a warning.

If you have concerns about hepatitis, talk to a qualified healthcare professional and ask whether testing is appropriate for you.

Disclaimer

This article is for general health education and should not be used to diagnose or treat hepatitis. Symptoms can have many different causes, and only appropriate medical evaluation and testing can determine whether someone has hepatitis. If you have concerning symptoms or believe you may have been exposed, speak with a qualified healthcare professional.

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