Sleep Apnoea: Causes & Treatments

Sleep apnoea is a common disorder which causes individuals to frequently stop breathing as they sleep. Affecting between 5 and 10% of people around the globe, the condition can have a significant impact on your health and overall quality of life. Join us as we explore the different types of sleep apnoea, how it affects sleepers, and what you can do to treat sleep apnoea and start sleeping better.

the sleep summary

• Sleep apnoea is a condition which causes a person’s breathing to stop and start throughout the night.

• There are several types of sleep apnoea, including obstructive sleep apnoea, central sleep apnoea and complex sleep apnoea.

• Making health changes such as losing weight and cutting out smoking can reduce your sleep apnoea symptoms. Your sleep position also helps as sleeping on your side opens up your airway, reducing the symptoms and risk of sleep apnoea.

what is sleep apnoea?

  Sleep apnoea refers to the frequent stopping and starting of a person’s breathing as they sleep. How do you know if you have sleep apnoea? You can often tell if someone has sleep apnoea if they’re showing the following symptoms:

• Serious fatigue during the day

• Excessively loud snoring

• The stopping and starting of breathing during the night

• Disrupted sleep from gasping or choking

• Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat

• Headaches in the morning

• Reduced focus during the day

• Mood changes, especially being easily upset

• High blood pressure

• A low sex drive

what are the different types of sleep apnoea?

There are three different types of sleep apnoea, with the most common type of this condition being Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA), affecting an estimated 936 million people worldwide according to research. This is caused by blocked airflow through your upper airway while sleeping. There are also two secondary types of sleep apnoea: central (CSA) and complex sleep apnoea. While obstructive sleep apnoea occurs from the throat muscles relaxing and blocking the airway, central sleep apnoea is caused by the brain sending the wrong signals to the muscles that control your breathing. If you’re diagnosed with complex sleep apnoea, you’ve most likely already struggled with obstructive sleep apnoea which has now developed into central sleep apnoea.

can sleep apnoea affect children?

Yes, 3 to 6% of children suffer with obstructive sleep apnoea due to the repetitive narrowing of the airways. Because of this, sleep apnoea in children impacts their rest which plays a huge role in their health and development as they grow.

what causes sleep apnoea?

There are many common causes of obstructive sleep apnoea, the most noted being obesity, large tonsils and a change in hormones. These issues can narrow your airway, making it harder to breathe when sleeping.

Other causes include adenoids, down syndrome, smoking, heart disease, jaw misalignment, sleeping tablets and the position you sleep in. Your age, being male and your family history can also play a role in developing sleep apnoea.

For central sleep apnoea, common causes include old age, heart disorders, pain medications or experiencing a stroke.

what are the risks of sleep apnoea?

The possible short-term effects of obstructive sleep apnoea are daytime fatigue and high blood pressure. Sleep apnoea also impacts the health of partners, whose sleep is frequently interrupted by the sleeper's snoring or gasping. The long-term risks of experiencing sleep apnoea are serious heart disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and liver problems.

Similar risks, such as fatigue and cardiovascular problems, are also found in central sleep apnoea cases.

can sleep apnoea kill you?

  Due to the seriousness of the long-term side effects, there is a possibility that sleep apnoea can be fatal. While uncommon, there have been cases of sudden deaths, especially in older people, those with a critical illness or people with severe OSA.

can sleep apnoea be cured?

  There is technically no cure for sleep apnoea, but lifestyle changes can reverse or make the condition less intense.

how to test for sleep apnoea?

Sleep apnoea is often diagnosed by a specialist doctor after an initial appointment with your GP. They will review your symptoms as well as physical factors which may be contributing to your sleep apnoea before conducting a sleep study using monitors to test heart rate and oxygen levels, among other factors. This data will allow the doctor to calculate the severity of the sleep apnoea using the Hypopnea Index (AHI); the number of pauses in breathing per hour.

how do you treat sleep apnoea?

If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnoea, whether that’s by a doctor, through a sleep study or using an at-home test, you may have been given some treatment options, such as:

• Lifestyle changes: whether it's increasing your exercise, quitting smoking or reducing your alcohol intake, making these changes have been known to counteract the full extent of sleep apnoea.

• CPAP Machines: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines can be used during the night to help with breathing. A mask or nose piece is worn while you sleep, which is connected to a hose that circulates steady air pressure, so you can breathe easier.

• Oral appliances: Also known as oral appliance therapy, this treatment uses a dental device to position your mouth in a way that improves airflow, reducing disruption in your sleep by helping you breathe better.

• Surgery: Maxillomandibular advancement is one of the most common and beneficial surgeries you can get for serious cases of sleep apnoea. It involves repositioning the jaw to allow for better airflow.

• Side sleeping: Sleeping on your side is one of the best home remedies for milder cases of sleep apnoea. This position allows your airways to stay open, reducing your snoring and leaving you much more comfortable.

Finding the right treatment for you may take time, as everyone reacts differently to various options. It’s important to discuss these treatments with your GP or sleep specialist to compare your options. Your mattress and pillow play a role in the position you sleep in, meaning the quality of slumber you get too. If you’re sleeping on your side to help with sleep apnoea, a memory foam mattress is often best, providing sink-in support to keep your body aligned. Anti-snore pillows can also help with symptoms of sleep apnoea as they promote a healthy head and neck position for clearer breathing.

conclusion

If you’re suffering from sleep apnoea, now is the time to seek some professional help before the condition gets worse. In the meantime, making the relevant lifestyle changes and improving your bed set-up will do your breathing a world of good. If you found this article helpful, join us as we explore sleep and menopause. Or check out the rest of our healthy sleep guides

faqs about sleep apnoea

can high blood pressure cause sleep apnoea?

Yes, many experts, such as the Heart Research Institute UK, believe that there is a link between sleep apnoea and high blood pressure, with the restriction of airflow leading to the brain increasing blood flow.

can stress cause sleep apnoea?

Stress does not cause sleep apnoea directly, but stress and anxiety can make sleep even more difficult for people with sleep apnoea. Individuals may even experience stress about falling asleep due to their condition.

can sleep apnoea be cured?

Sleep apnoea is often considered a chronic condition, meaning it cannot be cured. However, it can be reversed or managed through lifestyle changes, surgeries or medical devices.

does losing weight help sleep apnoea?

Yes, losing weight through regular exercise and a balanced diet is one of the most effective ways of managing the symptoms of sleep apnoea.