Sleep apnoea: Address breathing interruptions

Keep a sleep journal

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Track key factors like:

• Hours slept
• How alert you are when you wake up
• How sleepy you feel during the day

These notes may help guide the conversation when talking to your care team.

Ask someone to monitor your sleep for loud snoring and
choking or gasping for air

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If you share a bed with someone, they may be able to help you notice behaviours you can't observe while sleeping. Ask them to take note of loud snoring, gasping for air, choking.

Make an audio recording of your sleep

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Recording audio on your phone may help you and your care team check for things you might miss while sleeping. These include loud snoring, choking and gasping for air. You don’t have to record the whole night. An hour or so should do the trick.

What are the differences between central sleep apnoea (CSA) and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)?

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Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) occurs when something blocks your airway (like your tongue) during sleep, so your breathing is interrupted.

Risk factors for OSA include age, obesity, large tonsils, neck, or tongue and others.

Central sleep apnoea (CSA) occurs when your brain fails to send proper signals to breathe during sleep.

There are several factors like other health conditions (including heart failure or some neurological disorders), family history and genetics, lifestyle habits and more that may increase the risk of CSA.

How do I know if I have sleep apnoea?

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After tracking your symptoms and talking with your care team, your doctor might give you a screening. You may be asked to answer questions about your sleep, including patterns, disruptions, and concerns you have. They may also measure your BMI, neck circumference, and tongue size. If your doctor thinks you might have sleep apnoea, they may recommend a sleep test. Tests can be done at home or in a lab.

What happens during a sleep test?

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Both lab and at home tests monitor your breathing patterns, airflow, oxygen levels, and heart rate while you sleep. On average, having 5 or more pauses in 1 hour of sleep would mean that you have mild obstructive sleep apnoea.

Sleep tests don't require surgery. They are designed to keep you comfortable. In a lab, your sleep is typically observed overnight. Sensors gauge your brain activity, oxygen levels, heart rate, breathing patterns, and eye and limb movements.

During the test, you’ll follow your normal nighttime routine. A technician will usually observe from a control room. They are available if you need help. You’ll be asked to sleep as normally as you can. In the morning, all sensors will be removed. Then, you can clean up and get ready for the day. You'll probably leave early in the morning, and the test shouldn't disrupt your day.

At home, you'll place similar sensors on yourself. They are also painless and shouldn't interfere with your sleep. Your doctor might recommend following up a home test with a lab test.