The sufferer can experience excessive daytime sleepiness, lack of concentration, snoring, unrefreshing sleep, choking episodes during sleep, depression, irritability and a decrease in sex-drive.
The spouse or partner also often recognises recurrent breathing pauses in the sufferer as their throat closes off completely but this is a symptom which the sufferer themselves is often completely unaware of.
Patients with sleep apnoea also have an increased frequency of hypertension (high blood pressure) and this may lead potentially to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes in later life.
Drivers falling asleep at the wheel cause about 30% of all major road accidents in Britain and these accidents often result in death or serious injury as they occur at high speed without any evidence of avoiding action.
It is important to realise that the DVLA can withdraw driving licenses from sufferers of untreated apnoea but they usually allow those who are being treated and whose apnoea is controlled successfully to continue to drive normally. More details about driving, insurance and Sleep Apnoea can be found on our News and Events Page
