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What is sleep apnoea?
Sleep apnoea is a condition that causes breathing to stop and start during sleep. These pauses can last for a few seconds or longer, and they may happen many times a night.
It is quite common, but many people do not realise they have it. Often, it is first noticed by a partner or family member who hears loud snoring or sees the person struggling to breathe.
Types of sleep apnoea
The most common type is obstructive sleep apnoea. This happens when the muscles in the throat relax too much during sleep, causing the airway to narrow or close.
Another type is central sleep apnoea. This is less common and happens when the brain does not send the right signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Some people have a mixture of both types. A doctor may use the term “sleep-disordered breathing” when discussing these problems more generally.
Common symptoms
Loud snoring is one of the best-known signs of sleep apnoea. However, not everyone who snores has the condition.
Other symptoms include choking or gasping during sleep, waking often during the night, and feeling very tired during the day. Some people also wake with a dry mouth or headache.
Sleep apnoea can make it hard to concentrate, remember things, or stay awake in meetings or while driving. Daytime sleepiness can become a serious safety issue.
Who is at risk?
Sleep apnoea can affect adults and children, but some people are more likely to develop it. Being overweight, smoking, drinking alcohol before bed, and having a family history can all increase the risk.
It is also more common in men and in people over 40, although women can get it too, especially after the menopause. Certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, can be linked with sleep apnoea.
Why it matters
Untreated sleep apnoea can affect both quality of life and long-term health. It may raise the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
It can also affect mood, relationships, and work performance. Feeling exhausted all the time can make everyday tasks much harder than they should be.
Diagnosis and treatment
If sleep apnoea is suspected, a GP may refer you for a sleep study. This can be done at home or in a sleep clinic and helps measure breathing, oxygen levels, and sleep patterns.
Treatment depends on how severe the condition is. Options may include lifestyle changes, a CPAP machine that helps keep the airway open, or a dental device for milder cases.
Getting the right treatment can make a big difference. Many people find they sleep better, feel more alert, and have more energy during the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sleep apnoea is a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, often leading to poor sleep quality and daytime tiredness.
Common symptoms of sleep apnoea include loud snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep, gasping or choking at night, morning headaches, dry mouth, and daytime sleepiness.
Sleep apnoea can be caused by airway blockage during sleep, abnormal brain signals that affect breathing, or a combination of factors such as obesity, enlarged tonsils, nasal congestion, or certain medical conditions.
People at higher risk of sleep apnoea include those who are overweight, older adults, men, people with a family history of sleep apnoea, smokers, and individuals with nasal obstruction or certain anatomical differences in the airway.
Sleep apnoea is usually diagnosed with a sleep study, either in a sleep clinic or sometimes at home, along with a medical history and physical examination.
Obstructive sleep apnoea happens when the throat muscles relax and block the airway, while central sleep apnoea happens when the brain does not send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Sleep apnoea can be serious because it may increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, accidents from daytime sleepiness, and reduced quality of life.
Treatments for sleep apnoea may include lifestyle changes, continuous positive airway pressure, oral appliances, surgery, or treatment of underlying health problems depending on the type and severity.
CPAP helps sleep apnoea by delivering a steady stream of air through a mask to keep the airway open during sleep.
Yes, sleep apnoea can sometimes be treated without CPAP using weight loss, positional therapy, oral appliances, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, or surgery in selected cases.
Yes, sleep apnoea often causes daytime fatigue because repeated breathing interruptions prevent restful sleep and reduce sleep quality.
Yes, sleep apnoea can affect children, often due to enlarged tonsils or adenoids, and it may cause snoring, restless sleep, behavioral problems, or learning difficulties.
No, snoring is not always a sign of sleep apnoea, but loud or frequent snoring, especially with pauses in breathing or gasping, should be evaluated for sleep apnoea.
Sleep apnoea can sometimes be greatly improved or resolved, especially if the cause is treated, but many people need long-term management to control symptoms.
Yes, weight loss can help reduce sleep apnoea severity in many people, especially when excess weight contributes to airway narrowing.
Yes, alcohol can make sleep apnoea worse by relaxing throat muscles and increasing the likelihood of airway collapse during sleep.
Yes, sleep apnoea can increase the risk of heart problems such as high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, heart disease, and stroke.
Someone should seek medical help for sleep apnoea if they have loud snoring, breathing pauses during sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, or morning headaches, especially if symptoms affect daily life.
Yes, sleep apnoea can affect driving safety because daytime sleepiness and reduced alertness increase the risk of accidents.
Lifestyle changes that can help sleep apnoea include losing weight if needed, sleeping on the side, avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bed, quitting smoking, and maintaining a regular sleep schedule.
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