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April 7th is World Health Day – Why Sleep Apnea Deserves Attention

April 6, 2025

Each year on April 7th, World Health Day serves as a reminder of the importance of global health issues. This year, let’s shine a light on a condition that affects a billion people worldwide but often goes unnoticed: sleep apnea.1 Here in Australia, an estimated 20% of the general population suffers from moderate to severe sleep apnea.2 Yet, despite its prevalence, over 80% of cases remain undiagnosed and untreated.3



What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common but serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts throughout the night.4 This disrupts the body’s oxygen supply, leading to poor sleep quality and a range of health risks.4

There are two main types of sleep apnea:

  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): The most common type, which occurs when the throat muscles relax and cause the airway to become blocked.5
  • Central Sleep Apnea: A less common type, which happens when the brain fails to send the breathing muscles the correct signals to control breathing.4


Health Risks of Untreated Sleep Apnea

Leaving sleep apnea untreated can have serious health consequences, including:

  • Heart Disease & Stroke: Repeated oxygen deprivation increases strain on the heart, raising the risk of heart attack and stroke.6
  • Diabetes: Sleep apnea can affect glucose metabolism, worsening insulin resistance and increasing the risk of diabetes.6
  • Dementia: Studies have shown that severe OSA is linked to an increased buildup of beta-amyloid, a protein associated with Alzheimer’s disease.6
  • Liver Disease: Sleep apnea can increase the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.6
  • Drowsy Driving: Sleep deprivation impairs reaction time and decision-making, significantly increasing the risk of car accidents.7


Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Many people with sleep apnea don’t realize they have it, as symptoms occur during sleep. Common warning signs include:

  • Loud snoring7
  • Periodic gasping or choking during sleep7
  • Morning headaches or dry mouth7
  • Daytime fatigue and difficulty concentrating7
  • Mood changes such as depression or irritability7


Key Risk Factors

Some of the most common risk factors that may increase your chances of developing this condition include:

  1. Obesity: Higher body mass indexes increase the risk due to excess weight narrowing the airway.8
  2. Age: Risk increases after age 40 due to natural changes in the airway and respiratory muscles.8
  3. Gender: Men are more likely to develop sleep apnea, but women are also at risk, especially if overweight or post-menopausal.8
  4. Neck Circumference: Thicker necks are more likely to lead to constricted airways.8
  5. Family History: A family history of sleep apnea increases your risk.8
  6. Smoking and Alcohol Use: Both can cause airway inflammation or relaxation that worsens symptoms.8
  7. Medical Conditions: Conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and heart failure are associated with higher risk.8
  8. Nasal Congestion: Can restrict breathing during sleep.8
  9. Use of Sedatives or Tranquilizers: These relax throat muscles, interfering with breathing.8


Treatment and Management Options

There are several ways to manage and treat sleep apnea:

  • Lifestyle Changes: Losing weight, exercising, avoiding alcohol before bed, and changing sleep positions.6
  • CPAP Therapy: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy keeps airways open during sleep and can reduce the risk of all-cause mortality by 37% and heart-related death by 55%.6,9
  • Oral Appliances & Surgery: Oral devices or surgery may help improve airflow.6


Take Action for Better Sleep Health

If you suspect you or a loved one may have sleep apnea, don’t ignore the signs—speak to a doctor. This World Health Day, let’s prioritise sleep health and ensure that more people get the diagnosis and treatment they need.



How Sove CPAP Clinic Can Help

Founded in 2008, Sove CPAP Clinic has grown to become a leading provider of respiratory and sleep services and products in Australia, with over 60 clinics nationwide. Our comprehensive clinical team includes Respiratory & Sleep Specialists, Sleep Technologists, and CPAP Consultants, ensuring that you receive comprehensive and personalised care. All medical procedures, including sleep studies and lung function testing, are bulk billed to all Australians, with minimal wait time.

If you would like to speak to a Respiratory & Sleep Physician, book a bulk-billed sleep study, or seek advice for your sleep apnea, you can reach us at 1300 76 29 39 or info@thecpapclinic.com.au.



ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. CPAP is used for Obstructive Sleep Apnea treatment. When considering whether a sleep study or CPAP is right for you, speak to your doctor. Medicare criteria and T&C’s apply.

Citations

1. Benjafield, Adam V, et al. “Estimation of the Global Prevalence and Burden of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: A Literature-Based Analysis.” The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, vol. 7, no. 8, Aug. 2019, pp. 687–698, www.thelancet.com, https://doi.org/10.1016/s2213-2600(19)30198-5.


2. Soenen, Stijn, et al. “Sleep Health Primary Care Clinical Resource.” Australian Journal of General Practice, vol. 53, no. 6, 1 June 2024, pp. 349–355, https://doi.org/10.31128/ajgp-03-23-6779.


3. Laher, I., Faria, A., Allen, H.A., Fox, N. and Ayas, N. “The Public Health Burden of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.” Sleep Science, vol. 14, no. 3, 2021, pp. 257–265, https://doi.org/10.5935/1984-0063.20200111.


4. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. “Sleep Apnea - What Is Sleep Apnea?” 24 Mar. 2022, www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-apnea.


5. Mayo Clinic. “Obstructive Sleep Apnea - Symptoms and Causes.” 14 July 2023, www.mayoclinic.org.


6. Ball, Dr Harry. “What Happens When Sleep Apnoea Isn’t Treated?” SleepWise Clinic, 19 Sept. 2022, sleepwise.com.au. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.


7. Pristas, Adrian. “Reasons Why Sleep Apnea Can Be Serious If Left Untreated.” Hackensack Meridian Health, 5 Apr. 2023, www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org.


8. Yayan, Josef, and Kurt Rasche. “A Systematic Review of Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea.” Preventive Medicine Reports, vol. 42, 1 June 2024, p. 102750, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2024.102750.


9. Benjafield, Adam V, et al. “Estimation of the Global Prevalence and Burden of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: A Literature-Based Analysis.” The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, vol. 7, no. 8, 9 July 2019, pp. 687–698, www.thelancet.com, https://doi.org/10.1016/s2213-2600(19)30198-5.