Medical experts are warning over a condition thought to affect millions of people in the UK, that is commonly undiagnosed. Sleep apnoea is very common, and yet most sufferers may not even know they have it.
Sleep apnoea is when your breathing stops and starts during sleep. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and NHS guidance states it needs to be treated as it can lead to more serious problems.
According to information shared by the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, undiagnosed OSA means a driver is ten times more likely to have a road traffic accident, and can reduce a person’s life expectancy by up to 20%. Undiagnosed OSA, it adds, also costs the NHS £28m each year.
Symptoms of sleep apnoea mainly happen while you sleep, and these include your breathing stopping and starting, making snorting, gasping or choking noises, loud snoring, and waking frequently. During the day a person may also find it hard to concentrate, feel very tired, experience mood swings, and have a headache on waking.
NHS advice further states: “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.” Without treatment, sleep apnoea can cause other health issues including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, depression, and higher chance of having a stroke.
If you think you may have sleep apnoea, you should see a GP. If someone else has seen your symptoms, it can also be helpful to take them along to the appointment with you.