Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)
Key facts
- Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) happens when you have breathing pauses at night while you're asleep.
- People who have OSA may snore, wake up gasping and feel tired during the day.
- Your doctor can refer you to a sleep specialist for a diagnosis and to get treatment.
- It's important to treat OSA because it can increase your risk of other health problems.
What is obstructive sleep apnoea?
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a problem with your breathing while you are asleep.
If you have OSA, your airway is partly or completely blocked at times while you're asleep. This can cause you to stop breathing for short periods. You then wake up briefly (called an arousal), which restarts your breathing.
These breathing pauses, known as 'apnoeas', can happen many times a night, and you're often unaware of it happening.
Having OSA can increase your risk of other health problems and complications.
What are the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea?
Symptoms of OSA include:
- pauses in breathing while you're sleeping, which other people may notice (apnoeas)
- loud snoring (vibration of your throat during sleep)
- tossing and turning during sleep
- waking up gasping or choking
- breath holding
- insomnia
- tiredness and feeling unrefreshed after sleep
- daytime sleepiness
Sometimes people with OSA have symptoms of:
- heartburn at night
- dry mouth
- waking up with a headache
- irritability during the day
- depression
- problems with attention, learning and memory
CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.
What causes obstructive sleep apnoea?
OSA can affect anyone, but your risk is higher if you:
- are overweight or obese
- are male
- are a post-menopausal female
- have a thick neck
- have a naturally narrow airway
- have large adenoids, tonsils or a large tongue
Other factors that can increase your risk of sleep apnoea are:
- having a family history of OSA
- being middle aged or older
- drinking alcohol
- smoking
Children can also have OSA, but OSA in children is usually caused by having large tonsils or adenoids.
When should I see my doctor?
See your doctor if you or someone close to you is concerned about possible obstructive sleep apnoea.
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How is obstructive sleep apnoea diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms. If you share a bedroom with someone, it's a good idea to take this person with you to the doctor. They can describe your sleep and whether it's noisy or disturbed.
Your doctor will examine you, including checking your nose and throat. They may also check your blood pressure and general health.
You may need a referral to a sleep clinic for an overnight sleep study. This may be organised by your doctor, or you may need to see a specialist doctor.
Some clinics do sleep studies under supervision in a sleep laboratory. Another option for some people is a home sleep study.
During a sleep study, your breathing and oxygen levels are monitored while you sleep.
ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.
How is obstructive sleep apnoea treated?
Treatment for OSA aims to treat your symptoms and reduce your risk of related health problems.
The type of treatment will depend on how severe your OSA is and your overall health.
Self-care measures
Self-care treatments for OSA include:
- losing weight (if you are overweight)
- quitting smoking and vaping if you smoke or vape
- avoiding alcohol, medicines and drugs that can affect sleep
- using nasal corticosteroid sprays if your nose is blocked
Other treatments
Treatments are also available to help keep your airways open while you are sleeping. These include:
- continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) — where a pump feeds pressurised air into a mask that you wear on your face
- wearing an oral appliance (splinting device) fitted by your dentist
Surgery
Surgery may be recommended for some people with OSA. This may be considered if you have problems with your airway that contribute to your snoring (such as large adenoids or tonsils).
Surgery is usually only done if other treatments have not helped.
Can obstructive sleep apnoea be prevented?
You can help prevent symptoms of OSA by:
- maintaining a healthy weight
- limiting your alcohol consumption
- not smoking
You should also try to:
- have good sleep habits, including a regular sleep pattern
- limit your use of sleeping pills
Complications of obstructive sleep apnoea
As well as making you tired, untreated OSA can increase your risk of health problems, such as:
Adults with untreated OSA also have a higher risk of:
- diabetes
- poor memory
- lack of concentration
- moodiness, depression and personality change
- decreased libido, and male erectile dysfunction
You are also at higher risk of car accidents and workplace accidents if you have OSA.
What is the difference between obstructive sleep apnoea and central sleep apnoea?
People with central sleep apnoea (CSA), have breathing pauses (apnoeas) during the night because of pauses in the drive to breathe. This is different to OSA, where apnoeas are caused by a blocked airway.
CSA is less common than OSA. You're less likely to snore loudly with CSA than with OSA.
Illnesses such as heart failure and some medicines can cause you to develop CSA by affecting your brain's breathing control centres.
Resources and support
See your doctor if you are concerned about obstructive sleep apnoea.
You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: June 2024
