What is Sleep Apnoea — Causes, Risks, and Treatment?

A guide to understanding sleep apnoea, its symptoms, health risks, and available treatments.

Respiratory

Sleep Apnoea — Causes, Risks, and Treatment

2025-09-18

Intro

Sleep apnoea is a common but underdiagnosed condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. It disrupts sleep quality and places strain on the heart and circulation.

Key Points

Loud snoring and daytime sleepiness are hallmark signs.
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is most common and linked to airway collapse.
Untreated sleep apnoea raises risks for high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and diabetes.
Diagnosis requires a sleep study.
CPAP therapy is the gold standard treatment, but lifestyle changes also help.

Types of Sleep Apnoea

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA): Airway collapses or is blocked during sleep.
Central Sleep Apnoea: Brain fails to send proper signals to breathing muscles.
Mixed/Complex Sleep Apnoea: Features of both OSA and central apnoea.

Causes and Risk Factors

Obesity, large neck circumference, nasal obstruction.
Alcohol, sedatives, and smoking.
Age (more common in middle-aged and older adults).
Family history.
Neurological conditions (central apnoea).

Diagnosis

Polysomnography (sleep study): Measures breathing, oxygen, and sleep cycles.
Home sleep testing: Portable devices for convenience.
Severity is measured using the Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index (AHI).

Treatment

Lifestyle: weight loss, avoiding alcohol/sedatives, sleeping on your side.
CPAP: continuous positive airway pressure to keep the airway open.
Oral appliances: reposition jaw/tongue.
Surgery: for anatomical blockages or severe cases.

Risks and Prognosis

Untreated OSA leads to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, accidents, and reduced quality of life.
With treatment, risks fall dramatically, and energy, mood, and long-term outcomes improve.

FAQ

Q: What is sleep apnoea?
A: A disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.

Q: What are the main symptoms?
A: Loud snoring, daytime sleepiness, waking gasping, morning headaches, poor concentration.

Q: Why is sleep apnoea dangerous?
A: It increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Q: How is it diagnosed?
A: Through a sleep study, either in a clinic or at home.

Q: What treatments exist?
A: CPAP, lifestyle changes, oral appliances, and sometimes surgery.