Obstructive sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder where a person’s upper airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing them to stop breathing for a period of 10 seconds or longer.
The most common symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea are:
An overnight diagnostic sleep test is necessary to confirm a diagnosis of OSA and evaluate its severity. Sleep apnoea testing is classed across four levels.
The most effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). A CPAP machine prevents the upper airway from collapsing during sleep by providing a flow of air through the nose and/or mouth using a specialised mask.
