Most people will be able to tell when something is wrong with their body. But, if the issues only happen when you’re asleep at night, then it can be almost impossible to catch the warning signs.
British GP Dr Asif Ahmed claims that some patients in his clinic have lately been asking about this condition that as many as 10 million people in the UK suffer from. He added that, in most cases, your best chance of spotting this problem is having a partner sleep next to you.
What is sleep apnoea?
According to the NHS website, sleep apnoea is when your breathing stops and starts while you sleep. The most common type is called obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
Sleep apnoea happens if your airways become too narrow while you sleep, which, in turn, stops you from breathing properly. The condition has been linked to several risk factors such as obesity, having a large neck, sleeping on your back and having other family members with sleep apnoea.
It will eventually need some form of treatment as it can sometimes lead to more serious problems like high blood pressure, increased risk of a stroke, heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Most commonly, people with sleep apnoea will show signs at night whilst they’re asleep such as:
- breathing stopping and starting
- making gasping, snorting or choking noises
- waking up a lot
- loud snoring
Not all the warning signs happen at night, though, and can also impact your daily life. For example, people might feel “very tired” or have difficulty concentrating on tasks. Some also experience mood swings and a morning headache that cannot be explained otherwise.
You should book an appointment to see your GP if you think you have sleep apnoea. If someone else has seen you have the symptoms, it can help to bring them with you to the appointment.
If a GP thinks you might have sleep apnoea, they may refer you to a specialist sleep clinic for tests. At the clinic, you may be given devices that check things like your breathing and heartbeat while you sleep overnight.
You can usually do this at home, but sometimes, you may need to stay in the clinic overnight. The test can show if you have sleep apnoea and how severe it is.
Treatments can range from surgery to lifestyle changes – such as losing weight, giving up smoking and cutting back on alcohol. Many people need to use a device called a CPAP machine and you’ll be given this for free on the NHS if you need it.
Using a CPAP machine may feel strange or awkward at first, but try to keep using it every night for the best results. It can help:
- improve your breathing while you sleep by stopping your airways from getting too narrow
- improve the quality of your sleep and help you feel less tired
- reduce the risk of problems linked to sleep apnoea, such as high blood pressure
You can find further help and support online. The Sleep Apnoea Trust has support groups as well as information on its website about diagnosis, treatment and sleep clinics.
Without treatment, sleep apnoea can lead to other problems including:
- high blood pressure
- a higher chance of having a stroke
- type 2 diabetes
- heart disease
- depression or mood changes
- a higher chance of having a serious accident caused by tiredness, such as a car accident
- difficulty concentrating at work or school
Sleep apnoea can also be difficult for your partner and put a strain on your relationship with them.
The NHS says: “If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnoea, there are some things you can do to help. These may be all you need to do if your sleep apnoea is mild. Try to lose weight if you’re overweight. Exercise regularly – being active can improve your symptoms and help you keep to a healthy weight.
“Have good sleep habits like making sure your bedroom is dark and quiet, and going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. Sleep on your side – try taping a tennis ball to the back of your sleepwear, or buy a special pillow or bed wedge to help keep you on your side.”
You may need to tell the DVLA about your sleep apnoea. If sleep apnoea has been confirmed, you must not drive until symptoms like feeling very tired are under control. Check the rules for driving if you have sleep apnoea on GOV.UK.