Better Health Channel
betterhealth.vic.gov.au
betterhealth.vic.gov.au
  • The throat may collapse so much that not enough, or no air can get into the lungs – this is known as obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
  • This causes you to stop breathing until your brain notices and sends you a wake-up call. The brain briefly arouses itself from sleep to get the throat muscles working again to allow air into the lungs.
  • This process can repeat hundreds of times each night, causing you to have very broken sleep.
  • Around 1 in 4 men over the age of 30 years have some degree of sleep apnoea.
  • Sleep apnoea is highly treatable and includes certain lifestyle changes (such as losing weight loss and cutting back on alcohol) and using a CPAP device while sleeping to blow air into the throat to stop it collapsing. Other treatment options include dental devices and surgery.
  • Sleep apnoea can cause fatigue, and concentration difficulties which may affect different aspects of your life and lead to increased risks to your health.

Give feedback about this page

More information

Content disclaimer

Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.

Reviewed on: 27-10-2021