In brief
A condition in which the airway is partly or completely blocked at times during sleep, causing pauses in breathing and brief wake-ups, often many times a night.
- People with sleep apnoea are at higher risk of car accidents, so raise daytime sleepiness with your doctor.
- A home sleep study is an option for some people.
- Limiting sleeping pills is one way to lower your risk.
How it works
Each pause in breathing is followed by a brief waking that restarts breathing, often without you knowing. Signs include loud snoring, waking up with a headache and daytime sleepiness. The risk is higher if you are overweight, drink alcohol, smoke, are male, or are middle aged or older.
Untreated sleep apnoea raises the risk of high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, depression, and car and workplace accidents. A doctor can arrange an overnight sleep study, sometimes at home. Treatments include CPAP, an oral appliance fitted by a dentist, losing weight if needed, and avoiding alcohol and medicines that affect sleep.
Connections
7 connections on the map. Select a topic to read its page.
Obstructive sleep apnoea can cause
Sleep apnoea causes daytime sleepiness.
Waking up with a headache is a symptom of sleep apnoea.
Obstructive sleep apnoea can worsen
Breathing pauses in sleep apnoea are followed by brief wake-ups, which can happen many times a night.
Obstructive sleep apnoea is linked with
Sleep apnoea is one cause of high blood pressure, and high blood pressure is a health risk of untreated sleep apnoea.
Sources: healthdirect Australia, High blood pressure (hypertension); healthdirect Australia, Obstructive sleep apnoea
Obstructive sleep apnoea can be worsened by
Drinking alcohol is a risk factor for sleep apnoea, and avoiding alcohol is part of treatment.
Obstructive sleep apnoea can raise
Obstructive sleep apnoea is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation, and healthdirect suggests getting tested for it.
Obstructive sleep apnoea can be raised by
Being overweight or obese is a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnoea.
Sources: healthdirect Australia, Obstructive sleep apnoea; healthdirect Australia, Obesity
Sources
Each connection above names its own source. See every source AskBioMap uses.
Summarised from healthdirect. Sources read on 16 October 2026. General education only, not medical advice. Spotted a mistake? Please tell us through the HuBu-Intel contact page.