Sleep apnoea

What is sleep apnoea?

Sleep apnoea is a condition where your breathing repeatedly pauses or becomes shallow while you sleep. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnoea, which happens when the upper airway partly or fully closes during sleep.

Each pause in breathing can lower oxygen levels and briefly wake the brain, often without you remembering it. This can disturb deep, restorative sleep and leave you feeling tired the next day.

Sleep apnoea is more than snoring. However, loud snoring suggests the presence of obstructive sleep apnoea. The condition may also affect concentration, mood, blood pressure and overall health if it’s left untreated.

Sleep apnoea symptoms

Sleep apnoea is often noticed by someone else first, as symptoms tend to occur while you’re sleeping.

Common symptoms can include:

• Loud, regular snoring
• Gasping, choking or snorting during sleep
• Breathing pauses noticed by another person
• Waking with a dry mouth
• Morning headaches
• Feeling tired after sleeping
• Daytime sleepiness
• Poor concentration or memory
• Irritability or low mood
• Needing to pass urine during the night

Some people don’t feel especially sleepy, particularly if symptoms have developed gradually. If your sleep feels poor, or someone has noticed changes in your breathing at night, it’s worth getting assessed.

What causes sleep apnoea?

Obstructive sleep apnoea develops when the muscles and soft tissues around the throat relax during sleep and narrow the airway. This makes it harder for air to move in and out normally.

Several factors can increase the chance of sleep apnoea, including:

• Excess weight around the neck or upper body
• A naturally narrow airway
• Nasal blockage or congestion
• Drinking alcohol close to bedtime
• Smoking
• Sleeping on your back
• Increasing age
• Family history of sleep apnoea

The condition can also be linked with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and heart rhythm problems. Treating sleep apnoea may help reduce strain on the body and improve daily energy.

Diagnosing sleep apnoea

Diagnosis usually starts with a discussion about your sleep, symptoms, medical history and any concerns raised by a partner or family member. Your doctor may also check your blood pressure, weight, airway and general health.

A sleep study is often recommended. This records breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate and sleep patterns overnight. Some sleep studies are carried out at home, while others take place in a sleep clinic.

The results help confirm if sleep apnoea is present and show how severe it is. This helps your specialist recommend treatment that fits your symptoms, lifestyle and overall health.

Sleep apnoea treatment

Treatment depends on the type and severity of sleep apnoea. Your specialist will explain your options and help you decide what’s realistic for you.

Treatment may include:

• Lifestyle changes, such as weight management, reducing alcohol intake and changing sleep position
• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, which uses gentle air pressure through a mask to keep the airway open during sleep
• A mandibular advancement splint, which is a custom mouthguard that helps bring the lower jaw forward
• Treatment for nasal blockage, if this is contributing to symptoms
• Specialist review for other treatment options if symptoms are severe or don’t improve

CPAP is one of the main treatments for obstructive sleep apnoea and can make a significant difference when used consistently.

Access expert care with Complete Health Australia

Poor sleep can affect almost every part of your day, from focus at work to mood, driving safety and energy levels. You don’t have to keep pushing through it.

Complete Health Australia provides specialist assessment and care for people with suspected or confirmed sleep apnoea. We’ll help you understand what’s happening and support you with clear next steps.

Book an appointment