Sleep apnoea, also spelled sleep apnea in the US, is a sleep disorder characterised by repeated pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during sleep. These pauses, known as apnoeic events, can last for several seconds or longer and may occur many hundreds of times throughout the night.

The most common type of sleep apnoea is obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), where the airway becomes partially or completely blocked, leading to a lack of airflow. This obstruction can be caused by relaxed throat muscles, excess tissue in the airway, or structural abnormalities.

Individuals with sleep apnoea often experience disrupted sleep due to these breathing interruptions. They may snore loudly, gasp, or choke during sleep as they attempt to resume breathing. Consequently, they may suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, and irritability.

Untreated sleep apnoea can have serious health consequences, including an increased risk of mood and behavioural problems, memory problems, cardiovascular problems, high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes.

Diagnosis of sleep apnoea typically involves a sleep study, which can be conducted at home. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is a common treatment for sleep apnoea. It involves wearing a mask over the nose or nose and mouth during sleep, which delivers a constant flow of air to keep the airway open. Other treatment options for sleep apnoea include oral appliances that help keep the airway open, sleeping on your side instead of your back, lifestyle changes such as weight loss and avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bedtime, and, in some cases, surgical interventions to remove excess tissue or correct structural abnormalities in the airway.