Sleep apnoea is a dangerous, noisy and health-threatening snoring, disturbed by repeated and irregular pauses in breathing or episodes of shallow breathing. During sleep, the muscles controlling the upper airway relax and narrow the airway. Too much narrowing of the upper airway causes breathing problems. Complete blockage results in respiratory arrest, known as obstructive sleep apnoea. Such pauses in breathing can last from a few seconds to several hundred times a night.

Causes of sleep apnoea are numerous. The most common are anatomical defects: curvature of the nasal septum, hypertrophy of the base of the tongue or uvula, excessively flaccid and elongated soft palate. In addition, hypertrophy and swelling of the nasal auricles, hypertrophy of the palatine tonsils or nasal polyps are causes. Sleep apnoea is also influenced by: obesity, overweight and hypertension.

Effects of sleep apnoea is the hypoxia of the entire body and its organs. The effects can be felt throughout the day in the form of fatigue, drowsiness, irritability, headaches or problems with concentration, among others.