Sleep Apnoea

Sleep apnoea is when your breathing stops and starts while you sleep. The most common type is called obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

Check if you have sleep apnoea

Symptoms of sleep apnoea mainly happen while you sleep.

They include:

• breathing stopping and starting
• making gasping, snorting or choking noises
• waking up a lot
• loud snoring

During the day, you may also:

• feel very tired
• find it hard to concentrate
• have mood swings
• have a headache when you wake up

It can be hard to tell if you have sleep apnoea.  It may help to ask someone to stay with you while you sleep so they can check for the symptoms.

See a GP if:

You have any of the main symptoms of sleep apnoea:

• your breathing stops and starts while you sleep
• you make gasping, snorting or choking noises while you sleep
• you always feel very tired during the day

If someone else has seen you have the symptoms, it can help to bring them with you.

Sleep apnoea can be serious if it's not diagnosed and treated.