Loud snoring. Waking up feeling exhausted. Morning headaches. Struggling to concentrate during the day.
Many people experience these symptoms but assume they’re simply part of a busy lifestyle, getting older, or not getting enough sleep. However, they can be signs of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA), a common sleep disorder that affects an estimated one in four adults.
At The Sleep Charity, we are committed to empowering the nation to sleep better and helping people access trusted, evidence-based information about sleep health. That’s why we’re pleased to have partnered with Inspire Medical Systems to create a free educational resource designed to help people better understand OSA and the support available.
Why Partnership Working Matters
Sleep health is a growing public health issue, but awareness of many sleep disorders remains low. By working collaboratively with organisations that share our commitment to improving sleep health, we can create practical resources that reach more people and help them make informed decisions about their wellbeing.
Partnerships like this enable us to combine expertise, share knowledge and develop educational materials that empower individuals to recognise potential sleep problems and seek appropriate support.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnoea?
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea occurs when the airway repeatedly becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep. These interruptions can happen many times throughout the night, often without the person being aware of them.
Each pause in breathing can disrupt sleep quality, preventing the body and brain from getting the restorative sleep they need.
Common Signs and Symptoms
Some of the most common symptoms of OSA include:
- Loud, frequent snoring
- Pauses in breathing during sleep
- Waking up gasping or choking
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Morning headaches
- Difficulty concentrating
- Poor memory or brain fog
- Irritability and low mood
While snoring is often the most recognised symptom, not everyone who snores has sleep apnoea, and not everyone with sleep apnoea is aware that they snore.
Who is at Risk?
OSA can affect anyone, but certain factors can increase the likelihood of developing the condition, including:
- Carrying excess weight
- Being over the age of 40
- Having a family history of sleep apnoea
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol, particularly before bedtime
- Certain physical characteristics that can narrow the airway
Understanding these risk factors can help people recognise when it’s worth discussing their symptoms with a healthcare professional.
Why Diagnosis Matters
Untreated sleep apnoea can impact many aspects of daily life, from mood and concentration to overall health and wellbeing.
The good news is that effective treatments are available. A diagnosis usually begins with a discussion of symptoms and may involve a sleep study to assess breathing patterns during sleep.
Seeking professional advice is an important first step if you suspect something isn’t right with your sleep.
Our Free OSA Resource
To help raise awareness and support those seeking information, The Sleep Charity and Inspire Medical Systems have developed a free advice sheet covering:
- Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
- Risk factors
- Diagnosis pathways
- Treatment options
- Guidance on seeking support
The resource has been designed to provide clear, accessible information for anyone who wants to learn more about OSA.
Take Sleep Symptoms Seriously
Sleep is fundamental to our physical health, mental wellbeing and quality of life. If you regularly wake feeling unrefreshed, struggle with excessive tiredness during the day, or have concerns about symptoms such as loud snoring or interrupted breathing, it’s important not to ignore them.
The sooner sleep problems are recognised, the sooner people can access support and explore appropriate treatment options.
Download our free Obstructive Sleep Apnoea advice sheet to learn more.
Always speak to your doctor about your treatment options. Individual treatment results may vary. For important information about Inspire therapy and its delivery, risks and safety, visit inspiresleep.co.uk/important-safety-information.
This resource was developed in partnership with Inspire Medical Systems as part of our shared commitment to improving sleep health awareness.