Sleep Apnoea
A Third Age Health & Wellness Feature
by our Health Editor

Sleep Apnoea is a disorder in which a partial collapse of the upper airway causes sufferers to stop breathing for brief periods (10 – 30 seconds) during their sleep.

Typified by loud snoring and gasping for breath while sleeping, Sleep Apnoea sufferers wake a little every time this happens and so enjoy a less restful sleep.

They themselves may not be aware of the difficulty they are having breathing in their sleep however, only perhaps the fact that they are more tired during the day without necessarily knowing why. Sleep Apnoea is more likely to be noticed by their partners.

If you suffer from Sleep Apnoea, you should seek medical advice, particularly as the cure might be as simple as using a nasal strip or sleeping on a specially shaped pillow.