Sleep apnoea (apˈniːə/) is a common disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep.
Breathing pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes. They may occur 30 times or more an hour. Typically, normal breathing then starts again, sometimes with a loud snort or choking sound.
Sleep apnea usually is a chronic (ongoing) condition that disrupts your sleep. When your breathing pauses or becomes shallow, you’ll often move out of deep sleep and into light sleep.
As a result, the quality of your sleep is poor, which makes you tired during the day. Sleep apnea is a leading cause of excessive daytime sleepiness.
Night Time Symptoms
- Loud persistent snoring
- Frequent visits to the bathroom
- Restless sleeps
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Witnessed pauses in breathing
Day Time Symptoms
- Daytime sleepiness
- Morning headaches
- Poor concentration
- Irritability / Depression
- Memory difficulties
- Gastric Reflux
- Waking up tired
Long Term Risks (if untreated)
- Stroke
- High Blood Pressure
- Heart or Artery Disease
- Abnormal Heart Rhythm
- Diabetes
- Obesity Risk (Poor metabolism)
Look at the video below to find out more: