When snoring is serious: all about sleep apnoea

An estimated 40% of the UK population are snorers, which is not good news if they have a sleep-deprived partner struggling to snooze by their sides. But what happens if snoring is the sign of an underlying health condition? Around 2.5 million adults in the UK have undiagnosed sleep apnoea. Here we take a look at how serious it can be, and whether it is treatable.

What is obstructive sleep apnoea?

Sleep apnoea is a common condition that affects around 100,000,000 people worldwide. During sleep, the walls of the throat relax and become narrower, thus interrupting normal airflow and breathing. This, in turn, can lead to disrupted sleep and all that entails with the knock-on effect on daily life. If you or somebody you know is a regular snorer, it is worth getting checked out by a doctor, as sleep apnoea is a potentially serious condition that can lead to other, more severe health problems.

Counting sheep: sleep apnoea symptoms

In most cases, the initial symptoms of sleep apnoea are noticed by a partner or somebody other than the sufferer. The most common signs of sleep apnoea are:

• Loud snoring
• Regular breathing interrupted by gasps for air or snorting
• Laboured and noisy breathing

Sometimes night sweats and frequent urination at night can be a sign of sleep apnoea. As sleep is disrupted by irregular breathing, there is a lack of oxygen supply to the brain. The individual is forced out of deep sleep so that the throat can open properly and normal breathing resume. It is common for people with sleep apnoea to feel tired during the day because of this, however most people are unaware they have nightly breathing difficulties, and are therefore ignorant of their problem.

What causes sleep apnoea?

There are a number of factors that can cause narrowing of the throat to the extent that an individual develops sleep apnoea. Some common causes of sleep apnoea include:

• Being overweight -  excess fat puts strain on throat muscles making it more difficult to breathe
• Being male – although the reason is unknown, sleep apnoea affects more men than women
• Sedative medicines – such as sleeping pills
• Alcohol – drinking alcohol increases likelihood of snoring and sleep apnoea
• Smoking – also increases the chances of developing sleep apnoea
• Nasal congestion – people who have nasal congestion problems, such as a deviated septum, are also more susceptible to sleep apnoea
• Family history -  people with relatives who have sleep apnoea are more likely to develop it themselves
• Menopause – changes in hormones in women can also lead to sleep apnoea
• Having a large neck

Although it is not always possible to prevent sleep apnoea, a number of measures can be taken to reduce the chances of developing it:

• Limiting alcohol intake and avoiding it altogether in the evening
• Not using sleeping pills or tranquilisers
• Not smoking
• Losing weight if you are overweight or obese

What could be worse than snoring?

Apart from disturbing anybody in the vicinity, if your snoring is a sign of sleep apnoea, it means you are more at risk of developing the following conditions:  

• High blood pressure
• Stroke or heart attack
• Irregular heartbeat
• Type 2 diabetes

How is sleep apnoea treated?

Fortunately, sleep apnoea is treatable. Various treatments can help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life for both the patient and anybody within earshot as they sleep.

• Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, giving up smoking (if you’re a smoker) and drinking less alcohol (if you drink excessively). Sleeping on your side may also alleviate symptoms and reduce snoring
• A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device – prevents narrowing of throat as you sleep, and provides a continuous flow of air through a mask
• A mandibular advancement device (MAD) – fits around your teeth like a gum shield, holding both jaw and tongue forward in order to create space at the back of the throat allowing more air to flow.

In some cases of sleep apnoea, surgery may be recommended. If you have any further questions, get in touch with a specialist.