Sleep apnoea occurs when the walls of the throat come together during sleep, blocking off the upper airway. The condition causes people to stop breathing for several minutes at a time during sleep.

These stop-breathing episodes, which can happen many times throughout the night, are known as apnoeas. The sufferer is often unaware of it happening, but will wake feeling tired. Sleep apnoea ranges from mild to severe; in severe cases, sleep can be interrupted hundreds of times each night.

The condition is not uncommon; around five percent of Australians suffer from sleep apnoea. One in four men over the age of 30 will suffer from sleep apnoea during their lifetime.

Sleep apnoea causes a drop in oxygen levels, which can reduce sleep quality and impact on a person’s health and quality of life.

Sleep apnoea increases your risk of:

  • Obesity
  • High blood pressure
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Depression
  • Type 2 Diabetes and
  • Motor vehicle and industrial accidents

Sleep apnoea can occur at any age and is associated with a higher than average body weight. Symptoms include:

  • Fatigue or daytime sleepiness
  • Insomnia
  • Nightmares
  • Snoring
  • Depression
  • Weight gain
  • Poor memory and concentration
  • Morning headaches

How we can help

At The Wesley Pharmacy we have been treating people with sleep apnoea for decades. Our specially trained sleep apnoea team can help you get a better night’s sleep by assessing your risk of sleep apnoea and referring you to in-home sleep studies and other medical professionals for diagnosis.

Treatment

Decades of healthcare experience has provided us with the ability to locate the best sleep apnoea treatment for your needs. We stock a wide range of treatment options, including Continuous Positive Airflow Pressure (CPAP) machines, which blow air into your mouth and nose when you stop breathing during sleep. In addition to CPAP machines, we also stock masks and equipment from reliable brands such as RESMED, Fisher & Paykel and Philips Respironics.

We are happy to arrange equipment hire so that you can test a product before you purchase. Our experienced team also offers a follow up and monitoring service and a comprehensive supply of spare parts to ensure you are happy with your long-term treatment plan.