You already know poor sleep can take a toll on your heart. But if you’re one of the estimated one million Australians living with sleep apnoea, you could be clocking a full night of rest and still harming your health. We asked experts what they wish more people understood about this condition, including how sleep apnoea works and the latest options for managing it.
Sleep apnoea deprives your brain of oxygen
Registered nurse Terri E. Weaver explains:
When someone has sleep apnoea, something—such as airway anatomy, excess weight that narrows the airway, or issues with how the nervous system stimulates airway muscles—causes the throat to partially or fully collapse during sleep. This blocks airflow and reduces oxygen intake. Your brain senses the dip in oxygen and briefly rouses you—often with a gasp or snort—pulling you out of deep sleep. This also reactivates the airway muscles to open things back up.
Most people aren’t aware they’ve been woken up, as the arousals are often brief and followed by a quick return to sleep. But each time you drift off, the relaxed airway muscles can trigger the same pattern all over again. People with mild sleep apnoea may experience between five and 15 of these arousals per hour. For those with severe sleep apnoea, that number climbs to more than 30.
This repeated oxygen deprivation and fragmented sleep can take a major toll on your body. Sleep apnoea has been linked to a higher risk of heart disease, kidney problems, type 2 diabetes, dementia, certain cancers and even accidents due to daytime fatigue.
Snoring isn’t the only symptom
Dr Gracie Pien explains:
Step one in managing sleep apnoea is recognising that you may have it. While the classic signs include loud snoring, snorting, or choking sounds during sleep, there are plenty of other red flags to look out for—like waking up with a dry mouth, feeling drowsy during the day despite getting enough hours of sleep, frequent morning headaches, difficulty concentrating,or increased feelings of anxiety, depression or irritability. It’s also worth noting that not everyone with sleep apnoea snores.
Although being older, male, or carrying excess weight increases the risk of developing sleep apnoea, these aren’t the only risk factors. Women are more likely to experience it after the onset of perimenopause. Hormone-related health conditions, such as hypothyroidism and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), may also raise the risk, as hormones impact various bodily systems. Other contributors include large tonsils, a recessed jaw or overbite, certain neuromuscular disorders and genetic conditions like Down syndrome.
There are effective treatments
If you’re noticing symptoms, speak to your GP. Some GPs can diagnose and manage sleep apnoea, but others may refer you to a sleep specialist, especially if a sleep study is needed to confirm the diagnosis. Primary care physician Dr Laura Gross explains:
The most common treatment is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which uses gentle air pressure delivered through a face mask or soft nasal pillows to keep the airway open during sleep. CPAP therapy is highly effective, but it works best when used every night. There are several different types of machines and mask styles, although depending on your health cover, you may not be eligible for multiple mask options or frequent adjustment visits.
For milder cases, a custom-fitted dental appliance (similar to a retainer) may be helpful. Dr Gross also recommends joining a support group, where people living with sleep apnoea can share strategies, ask questions, and learn how others manage their symptoms.
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