---
title: "Sleep apnoea: symptoms, causes & treatment | Sanara Health"
description: "Obstructive sleep apnoea causes repeated breathing pauses during sleep — loud snoring, daytime sleepiness and cardiovascular risk if untreated."
url: "https://www.sanarahealth.co.uk/conditions/sleep-apnoea/"
source: "Sanara Health"
licence: "Quote with attribution and a link to the url above."
---
# Sleep apnoea: symptoms, causes & treatment

Obstructive sleep apnoea causes repeated breathing pauses during sleep — loud snoring, daytime sleepiness and cardiovascular risk if untreated.

Editorial information by **Kaiser Khan**. Not clinically reviewed.

## Symptoms

- Loud snoring with pauses
- Gasping or choking at night
- Daytime sleepiness despite sleep
- Morning headaches
- Poor concentration

## Why it happens

Airway collapse during sleep, strongly linked to obesity, neck size, alcohol and nasal obstruction. More common in men and post-menopause.

## Treatment

Weight loss where relevant, CPAP machine for moderate-severe cases, mandibular devices for mild cases. Requires sleep study diagnosis — not treatable with online pills alone.

## Self-care that helps

Weight management, sleep on side, avoid alcohol before bed, treat nasal congestion.

## When to get help

Partner witnesses breathing pauses, falling asleep driving, or suspected apnoea with heart disease — urgent GP referral for sleep study.

[See our sleep apnoea support →](https://www.sanarahealth.co.uk/compare/)

Go deeper

## Related guides

[Sleep apnoea signs UK: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment — Obstructive sleep apnoea explained — snoring, daytime sleepiness, health risks, CPAP treatment and when to seek a sleep study.](https://www.sanarahealth.co.uk/guides/sleep-apnoea-signs-uk/)

Available without prescription

## Products that can help

[Everyday health — Vitamin D3: 1000 IU explained](https://www.sanarahealth.co.uk/supplements/vitamin-d3-1000iu/)

[Everyday health — Omega-3 fish oil](https://www.sanarahealth.co.uk/supplements/omega-3-fish-oil/)

[Everyday health — Daily multivitamins](https://www.sanarahealth.co.uk/supplements/daily-multivitamin/)