Sleep apnoea is a relatively common condition that affects men more than women.
What is sleep apnoea?
Sleep apnoea affects the way you breathe when you’re sleeping. In untreated sleep apnoea, breathing is briefly interrupted or becomes very shallow during sleep. These breathing pauses typically last between 10 to 20 seconds and can occur up to hundreds of times a night. The lack of oxygen causes the person to come out of deep sleep and into a lighter state of sleep, or a brief period of wakefulness, in order to restore normal breathing.
However, after falling back into deep sleep, further episodes of apnoea can occur. As a consequence, you may spend more time in light sleep and less time in the deep restorative sleep you need to be energetic, mentally sharp and productive the next day.
A person will usually have no memory of breathlessness, so they are often unaware that they are not getting a proper night’s sleep. This chronic sleep deprivation results in daytime sleepiness, slow reflexes, poor concentration and an increased risk of accidents. Sleep apnoea can also contribute to serious health problems over time, including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. Sleep apnoea signs and symptoms It can be tough to identify sleep apnoea on your own, since the most prominent symptoms only occur when you’re asleep. But you can get around this difficulty by asking a bed partner to observe your sleep habits.
Major signs and symptoms of sleep apnoea include:
- Loud and chronic snoring
- Choking, snorting or gasping during sleep
- Long pauses in breathing
- Daytime sleepiness, no matter how much time you spend in bed
See a doctor immediately if you suspect sleep apnoea.
It is your legal obligation to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about a medical condition that could have an impact on your driving ability