Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) Dr Rob Hicks OSA is a respiratory condition in which the throat repeatedly narrows or closes during sleep. Air is blocked from getting into the lungs, and low oxygen levels cause the brain to wake the person up.

In this article

What are the symptoms? Who's affected?

Can it be prevented? What's the treatment?

Advice and support

A person with OSA will usually snore and wake frequently during the night, although they may not remember this. Their partner may report that they snore and stop breathing frequently during sleep. Their partner may themselves suffer disrupted sleep.

On waking, someone with OSA may have a dry mouth and a headache. During the day they may be excessively tired and irritable.

Severe OSA increases the risk of a person suffering high blood pressure, heart attack or stroke. It's also associated with an increased risk of accidents at work and on the road due to excessive tiredness.

It's estimated that OSA affects around one in 25 men and one in 50 women between the ages of 30 and 60. Many people are unaware they have it.

OSA becomes more likely as people get older. Being overweight, smoking and drinking more than safe recommended amounts of alcohol increases the risk. So, keeping to an ideal weight, not smoking and not drinking excessively will help to reduce the chances of OSA.

Regular exercise can also help a person lessen the number of apnoea attacks. Alteration of sleeping position may help too.

Nasal continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) through a mask worn over the nose provides air pressure to help keep the airways open during sleep.

Medication is sometimes recommended in severe cases.

The Sleep Apnoea Trust

Tel: 0845 606 0685
Website: www.sleep-apnoea-trust.org

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks in July 2006.