Snoring and sleep apnoea

Abstract

Snoring and sleep apnoea lie at the two extremes of sleep-disordered breathing, one mild and one serious. Sleep-disordered breathing can impair a person’s ability to have normal restorative sleep, which is essential for health and well-being. It can lead to significant negative health outcomes and cause chronic disorders such as hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, heart disease and even stroke. It is imperative to differentiate simple snoring from obstructive sleep apnoea, as the management and morbidity differ drastically. This article aims to describe the pathophysiology of sleep-disordered breathing, the impact on lifestyle and health, the differentiation of simple snoring from sleep apnoea, when to refer and interim treatment for paediatric and adult patients.