What is Sleep Apnoea?

Sleep is essential for physical health, mental clarity, and long-term wellbeing. Yet millions of people across the UK suffer from a common but often undiagnosed condition called sleep apnoea. If you frequently wake up tired, snore loudly, or feel exhausted during the day, this guide will explain everything you need to know about sleep apnoea, its symptoms, causes, health risks, and how CPAP therapy can help.

What Is Sleep Apnoea?

Sleep apnoea (also spelled sleep apnea) is a serious sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. These breathing interruptions can last from a few seconds to over a minute and may occur dozens or even hundreds of times per night.

The most common type is Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA), where the airway becomes blocked or collapses during sleep. Less common is Central Sleep Apnoea (CSA), where the brain fails to send proper signals to the breathing muscles. Some individuals experience complex sleep apnoea syndrome, a combination of both types.

Types of Sleep Apnoea

1. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)

OSA occurs when throat muscles relax excessively during sleep, narrowing or blocking the airway. This reduces oxygen levels and forces the brain to wake you briefly to restart breathing.

2. Central Sleep Apnoea (CSA)

CSA is linked to the brain’s failure to regulate breathing signals properly. It is less common but may be associated with heart conditions or neurological disorders.

3. Complex (Mixed) Sleep Apnoea

This is a combination of OSA and CSA and may require specialist sleep treatment.

Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnoea

Recognising sleep apnoea symptoms early can help prevent long-term complications. The most common signs include:

• Loud, chronic snoring

• Gasping or choking during sleep

• Pauses in breathing (often noticed by a partner)

• Excessive daytime sleepiness

• Morning headaches

• Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking

• Poor concentration and memory issues

• Irritability or mood changes

• Insomnia or restless sleep

If you experience several of these symptoms, you may need a sleep study or sleep apnoea test.

What Causes Sleep Apnoea?

Several risk factors contribute to the development of obstructive sleep apnoea:

• Being overweight or obese

• Large neck circumference

• Family history of sleep apnoea

• Smoking

• Alcohol consumption

• Nasal congestion

• Enlarged tonsils

• Ageing

• Male gender (though women are also affected)

However, sleep apnoea can affect anyone, including children and people who are not overweight.

Why Sleep Apnoea Is Dangerous

Untreated sleep apnoea can significantly impact long-term health. Repeated oxygen deprivation and sleep disruption increase the risk of:

• High blood pressure

• Heart disease

• Stroke

• Type 2 diabetes

• Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)

• Depression and anxiety

• Reduced immune function

• Workplace and driving accidents due to fatigue

In the UK, sleep apnoea is also linked to increased road traffic accidents caused by excessive daytime sleepiness.

How Is Sleep Apnoea Diagnosed?

Diagnosis typically involves:

• A GP consultation

• Referral to a sleep clinic

• Home sleep apnoea testing (HSAT)

• Overnight polysomnography in a sleep laboratory

A sleep study measures breathing interruptions using the Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index (AHI). The higher the AHI score, the more severe the sleep apnoea.

The Gold Standard Treatment: CPAP Therapy

The most effective and widely recommended treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy.

CPAP machines deliver a steady stream of air through a CPAP mask to keep the airway open during sleep. This prevents breathing pauses and restores normal oxygen levels.

Benefits of CPAP therapy include:

• Reduced snoring

• Improved sleep quality

• Increased daytime energy

• Better concentration

• Lower blood pressure

• Reduced risk of heart complications

Modern CPAP machines are quiet, compact, and feature advanced comfort settings including humidifiers and auto-adjusting pressure (APAP).

CPAP Equipment and Supplies

For effective treatment, patients need high-quality CPAP supplies, including:

• CPAP machines

• CPAP masks (nasal, full face, nasal pillow)

• Heated humidifiers

• CPAP tubing

• Replacement filters

• CPAP cleaning solutions

• CPAP accessories and travel CPAP machines

Regular replacement of CPAP masks and filters ensures optimal therapy performance and hygiene.

Can Sleep Apnoea Be Cured?

While lifestyle changes such as weight loss, reducing alcohol intake, and sleeping on your side may improve mild sleep apnoea, most moderate to severe cases require ongoing CPAP therapy.

Surgical options exist but are not suitable for everyone and are generally considered after other treatments fail.

When Should You Seek Help?

If you suspect you have sleep apnoea, do not ignore the symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment can dramatically improve your health, sleep quality, and overall wellbeing.

Speak to your GP about a sleep apnoea assessment or explore home sleep testing options.

Final Thoughts

Sleep apnoea is more than just snoring — it is a serious medical condition that affects breathing, heart health, mental wellbeing, and daily performance. Fortunately, effective treatments such as CPAP therapy can restore healthy sleep and significantly reduce long-term health risks.

If you are looking for reliable CPAP machines, masks, and replacement supplies in the UK, ensure you choose trusted, high-quality equipment to support your therapy journey.

Better sleep starts with better breathing.