Sleep apnoea, a serious sleep disorder
Sleep apnoea is a highly underestimated sleep condition. It’s estimated that 1 in 10 people experience some form of sleep apnoea, ranging from very mild to severe. Sleep apnoea is a serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops or becomes significantly reduced during sleep. These interruptions or pauses in breathing are known as apnoeas.
If you experience more than five apnoeas per hour, each lasting at least ten seconds, you may be suffering from sleep apnoea. While the causes of these breathing interruptions can vary, the symptoms remain largely the same.
Read on to learn more about sleep apnoea, the key symptoms, how to take a sleep apnoea test, and the available treatment options, including sleep apnoea machines and masks.
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What is Sleep Apnoea?
Sleep apnoea is a serious sleep disorder in which your breathing repeatedly stops during sleep. These pauses in breathing, known as apnoeas, can last from a few seconds to over a minute and may occur dozens to hundreds of times per night. Many people are unaware this is happening, but they often feel extremely tired, irritable, or struggle to concentrate during the day.
There are different types of sleep apnoea, with the most common being obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). This occurs when the airway is blocked, typically by relaxed throat muscles or the tongue falling backwards. Less commonly, central sleep apnoea (CSA) involves a temporary lack of breathing signals from the brain. A combination of both forms is known as complex or mixed sleep apnoea.
Common symptoms of sleep apnoea:
- Loud snoring, often interrupted by pauses or gasping for air
- Extreme daytime fatigue, despite getting enough hours of sleep
- Morning headaches
- Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
- Night sweats or frequent awakenings during the night
- Irritability, mood swings, or difficulty concentrating
Why is sleep apnoea dangerous?
When breathing is repeatedly interrupted, your body, especially your brain receives too little oxygen. This not only leads to sleep deprivation but also increases the risk of serious health issues such as:
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Type 2 diabetes
- Depression
- Increased risk of accidents due to daytime drowsiness
Yet sleep apnoea often goes undetected for years. Many people simply assume they’re “sleeping worse” or getting older, while in reality, a treatable condition may be the cause.
How do I know if I have sleep apnoea?
Sleep apnoea can be difficult to recognise, especially because you usually don’t notice it yourself during sleep. Many people only discover it after a partner points out that they snore, have long pauses in breathing, or gasp for air at night. Still, there are clear signs to watch for.
Possible symptoms you may notice:
- You often wake up feeling tired, despite a long night’s sleep
- You suffer from morning headaches
- You frequently doze off during the day, even during quiet activities
- You find it harder to concentrate
- You wake with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Your partner mentions loud snoring or pauses in your breathing at night
Testing for Sleep Apnoea: What Are Your Options?
A test is the first step toward better sleep and better health. The earlier you catch it, the fewer the consequences and the sooner you can feel fully rested again.
Sleep apnoea test through your GP or a specialist
If you suspect you have sleep apnoea, your first step is to contact your GP. They can refer you to a sleep centre, where a sleep study (polygraphy or polysomnography) is usually performed. During this, your breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, and sleep patterns are monitored overnight. You may sleep with the monitoring equipment at home or in the clinic.
Home sleep apnoea tests
Nowadays, reliable home tests are also available. These are offered through sleep clinics or specialised providers. You'll receive a monitoring device to use overnight, which you attach yourself. A doctor or sleep specialist then analyses the data. Note: home tests are mainly suitable for detecting obstructive sleep apnoea, the most common form.
What happens after the test?
If the test shows that you have sleep apnoea, a specialist will discuss the severity and which treatment best suits your situation. For mild cases, lifestyle changes or assistive devices may offer significant relief. In more severe cases, you may qualify for a mouthpiece, CPAP device, or other therapy.
Treatment for Sleep Apnoea Without CPAP
Not everyone with sleep apnoea needs a CPAP machine right away. Especially in mild to moderate cases, alternative solutions can already make a significant difference. Think of aids such as a sleep apnoea mouthpiece or a specially designed pillow. These products aim to keep the airway open during sleep, reducing or preventing breathing interruptions.
Mouthpiece for Sleep Apnoea: An Effective Solution
A sleep apnoea mouthpiece, also known as an MRA (Mandibular Repositioning Appliance) is a custom-made device worn at night. It slightly shifts the lower jaw forward, helping to keep the airway clear. This prevents the tongue or soft palate from blocking airflow.
Benefits of a Sleep Apnoea Mouthpiece
- Suitable for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnoea
- Small and comfortable to use
- No noise or mask, unlike CPAP
- Often reimbursed by health insurance (with medical indication)
Note: The mouthpiece is custom-made by a specialised dentist or oral surgeon. Not all ‘universal’ online versions provide the same effectiveness.
Sleep Apnoea Pillow: Support for Side-Sleeping
Another aid is the sleep apnoea pillow (also called anti-snore pillow). This ergonomically shaped pillow encourages side-sleeping and supports the head and neck in a way that keeps the airway optimally open. Many people with sleep apnoea snore or experience apnoeas when sleeping on their back. This pillow helps prevent that position.
The main benefits of a sleep apnoea pillow include promoting a healthy sleep posture. The healthiest sleeping position is on the side whether or not apnoea is present. Additionally, an anti-snore pillow relieves pressure on the neck and shoulders, which can ease discomfort in those areas. A sleep apnoea pillow also combines well with other therapies aimed at reducing snoring and apnoea. Even without a formal apnoea diagnosis, this pillow can improve sleep quality in those who snore.
What is the difference compared to CPAP?
While a CPAP device delivers continuous positive airway pressure to keep the airway open, the mouthpiece and pillow work more mechanically by adjusting the position of the jaw and body. For many people, these are low-threshold alternatives that can significantly reduce sleep apnoea symptoms without becoming immediately dependent on a machine.
Consequences of untreated sleep apnoea for your health
Sleep apnoea is not just an innocent sleep problem where you occasionally snore or wake up tired. When left untreated, the condition can have serious long-term effects on both your physical and mental health. The breathing pauses during sleep mean that your body and brain repeatedly receive too little oxygen. This causes continuous stress in the body, which increases the risk of various conditions. It is important to emphasise that sleep is not a luxury, but a basic human need. By recognising and treating sleep apnoea in time, you can prevent health problems in both the short and long term.
Possible health risks of untreated sleep apnoea
High blood pressure (hypertension): Repeated oxygen deprivation during the night triggers a constant ‘fight-or-flight’ response in the body, raising your blood pressure even during the day. Many people with therapy-resistant hypertension unknowingly suffer from sleep apnoea.
Cardiovascular disease: Sleep apnoea is linked to an increased risk of heart attacks, arrhythmias, and strokes. In particular, atrial fibrillation (a common heart rhythm disorder) is more prevalent among those with sleep apnoea.
Type 2 diabetes: Lack of sleep and oxygen disrupts insulin regulation, increasing the risk of insulin resistance. As a result, people with sleep apnoea are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
Obesity and hormonal imbalance: Poor sleep affects leptin and ghrelin levels the hormones that regulate hunger leading to overeating and weight gain, which can in turn worsen sleep apnoea.
Mental health issues: Ongoing fatigue due to sleep apnoea can cause low mood, anxiety, or even depression. Memory problems and difficulty concentrating are also common.
Increased accident risk: Sleep apnoea leads to microsleeps and reduced alertness during the day, significantly increasing the likelihood of road accidents and mistakes at work.
What is the difference between snoring and sleep apnoea?
Snoring and sleep apnoea are often mentioned in the same breath, and understandably so. Both conditions involve obstructions in the airway during sleep. However, there is an important difference in severity and impact on your health.
What exactly is snoring?
Snoring occurs when the airway is partially blocked and air flows more difficultly through the throat. This causes the soft palate and surrounding tissue to vibrate, producing the familiar snoring sound. Snoring can be bothersome for your partner, but is usually harmless on its own unless it is accompanied by breathing pauses.
What happens during sleep apnoea?
In sleep apnoea, the airway is not just narrowed but temporarily completely blocked. This leads to breathing pauses that can occur several times per hour. These pauses usually last between 10 and 30 seconds, but sometimes even longer. Your body responds by briefly waking you up to resume breathing often without you being aware of it.
Characteristic
Sound
Breathing pauses
Fatigue
Health consequences
Treatment
Snoring
Yes
No
Sometimes
Limited
Often with aids or sleep position
Sleep Apnoea
Often preceded by a breathing pause
Yes
Almost always
Severe without treatment
Needs medical care and custom treatment
Can I snore without having sleep apnoea?
Yes, absolutely. Many people snore without having sleep apnoea. The opposite is also possible: some people with sleep apnoea barely snore audibly but do suffer from serious breathing interruptions. That’s why it’s important not to focus solely on the noise, but also on associated symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and concentration issues.
Causes of sleep apnoea
Sleep apnoea usually arises when the airway becomes (temporarily) blocked during sleep. There are various physical and behavioural factors that can increase this risk. To determine the right course of action, it’s important to identify the cause or combination of causes in your own situation.
Overweight
Excess weight particularly fat accumulation around the neck puts added pressure on the airway when lying down. This increases the likelihood of throat muscles relaxing during sleep and temporarily blocking breathing. Even modest weight loss can help reduce the severity of sleep apnoea.
Anatomical features
Some individuals naturally have a narrow throat, enlarged tonsils, a recessed lower jaw, or a large tongue base. These anatomical factors make it easier for the airway to collapse, especially during the muscle relaxation that occurs in sleep.
Sleeping on the back
When sleeping on the back, the tongue more easily falls backward into the throat, partially or fully blocking the airway. This is a common cause among people with positional sleep apnoea, where breathing interruptions mainly occur while lying on the back.
Muscle relaxation during sleep
In deep sleep, all muscles including those in the throat become relaxed. In some people, this relaxation is enough to cause partial or complete airway collapse. Alcohol and certain sleep medications can intensify this effect.
Age and sex
Sleep apnoea is more common in men than in women, particularly from middle age onward. In women, the risk increases after menopause, likely due to hormonal changes that affect muscle tone in the airways.
Smoking and alcohol consumption
Smoking irritates and swells the tissues of the throat, narrowing the airway. Alcohol relaxes muscles including the throat muscles increasing the chance of breathing pauses. Both habits raise the risk of sleep apnoea and worsen existing symptoms.
Take Your Sleep Seriously
Sleep apnoea is a serious, yet fortunately treatable condition. Many people struggle unnecessarily for years with symptoms like fatigue, concentration problems, morning headaches or irritability without realising these may point to sleep apnoea. By recognising the signs and taking timely action, you can improve not only your sleep, but also your overall health, energy levels and quality of life.
There are various solutions available from simple positional trainers or specialised pillows to professional aids like an MRA mouthpiece. Which option suits you best depends on the cause and severity of your symptoms. Sometimes, a small adjustment can make a big difference.
Not sure if your symptoms point to sleep apnoea?
Don't wait. Try a reliable home test or speak to a specialist. On our website, you’ll also find a carefully selected range of products that can help reduce snoring and sleep apnoea symptoms.