What Is Sleep Apnoea?
Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. These pauses in breathing reduce oxygen levels and disrupt normal sleep, often without the person realising it is happening.
Unlike occasional snoring, sleep apnoea is a medical condition that can affect both sleep quality and long-term health. Early understanding and assessment are important, as untreated sleep apnoea can place strain on the heart, brain, and overall wellbeing.
For specialist sleep apnoea treatment in London with Ryan Cheong ENT speak with our clinical team on 020 3813 0733 or 020 3423 7665 to explore assessment and treatment options.
What Happens During Sleep Apnoea?
During sleep apnoea, the airway becomes partially or fully blocked, interrupting breathing.
These interruptions can last from a few seconds to over a minute and may occur many times per hour.
Each pause forces the body to briefly wake itself in order to restart breathing. Although these awakenings are often not remembered, they prevent deep, restorative sleep. Over time, this fragmented sleep can lead to persistent fatigue, poor concentration, and increased health risks.
Types of Sleep Apnoea
| Type | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) | Airway collapses or becomes blocked during sleep |
| Central sleep apnoea | Brain does not send consistent signals to breathe |
| Complex sleep apnoea | A combination of obstructive and central apnoea |
Obstructive sleep apnoea is by far the most common form and is frequently linked with snoring.
What Are the Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnoea?
The most common symptoms of sleep apnoea are loud snoring and excessive daytime tiredness.
Many people are unaware of their night-time symptoms and are alerted by a partner.
Common signs include:
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Loud, regular snoring
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Pauses in breathing or gasping during sleep
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Unrefreshing sleep
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Morning headaches
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Daytime sleepiness or poor concentration
Because symptoms develop gradually, sleep apnoea is often mistaken for stress or poor sleep habits rather than a medical issue.
How Is Sleep Apnoea Different to Snoring?
Snoring is noisy breathing during sleep, while sleep apnoea involves repeated pauses in breathing. Although they are related, they are not the same condition. (Source: NHS)
Snoring occurs when airflow is partially restricted and soft tissues vibrate, creating sound. In sleep apnoea, the airway repeatedly collapses or becomes blocked, causing breathing to stop altogether for short periods. These pauses reduce oxygen levels and force the body to briefly wake up to resume breathing.
Not everyone who snores has sleep apnoea, but most people with sleep apnoea do snore. The key difference is that sleep apnoea disrupts breathing and oxygen supply, which is why it carries greater health risks and requires medical assessment rather than simple snoring remedies.
What Causes Sleep Apnoea?
Sleep apnoea is most commonly caused by airway collapse during sleep. This happens when the muscles of the throat relax and block airflow.
Risk factors include being overweight, having a narrow airway, enlarged tonsils, or a recessed jaw. Alcohol use, smoking, and sleeping on the back can also worsen airway collapse. In some people, anatomical features rather than lifestyle factors play the main role, which is why assessment is important before choosing treatment.
Why Is Sleep Apnoea a Serious Condition?
Sleep apnoea is serious because repeated oxygen drops place stress on the body.
Over time, untreated sleep apnoea increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
The constant disruption to sleep also affects mood, memory, and reaction time. Many people with untreated sleep apnoea report difficulty functioning during the day, even if they believe they are sleeping for long enough at night.
How Is Sleep Apnoea Diagnosed and Treated?
Sleep apnoea is diagnosed using sleep assessment, often involving overnight monitoring.
This allows clinicians to measure breathing patterns, oxygen levels, and sleep stages.
Treatment depends on severity and cause. Options may include lifestyle changes, oral appliances, CPAP therapy, or targeted interventions for airway obstruction. For people whose symptoms overlap with snoring, assessment often begins through specialist snoring and sleep clinics.
If symptoms such as loud snoring, breathing pauses, or persistent fatigue are present, professional evaluation can help clarify whether sleep apnoea is the cause and what treatment is most appropriate.
Speak with our clinical team on 020 3813 0733 or 020 3423 7665 to explore sleep apnoea assessment and treatment options in London.