Blog article
Sleep apnoea in men: symptoms you might be ignoring (and what to do)
Sleep apnoea is a condition where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you sleep. With around 1 in 4 men over the age of 30 affected,1 it can result in feelings of fatigue or exhaustion upon waking (even when you’re sure you just clocked eight hours). The most prevalent form, Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA), occurs when the throat muscles intermittently relax and block the airway. These interruptions can last from 10 seconds to over a minute and may happen hundreds of times a night, leading to poor sleep quality and reduced oxygen levels.
The good news is getting it checked out may not be the daunting task you’ve been avoiding. You can get answers quick, often through an at-home sleep study.
A scannable summary, in case you’re too tired to keep reading
- Sleep apnoea is more common in men, especially as they get older1
- Around 1 in 4 Australian men over 30 have some degree of sleep apnoea, many without knowing it1
- Many cases go undiagnosed, with symptoms often dismissed as ‘just being tired’
- More at risk if you are over 30, overweight, smoke, or drink alcohol regularly1
- Sleep apnoea is common, treatable, and fixing it can change how you feel every single day.
Basically, if you snore, feel constantly exhausted, or your partner’s been nudging you to get some answers, it’s worth checking out.
What are the signs of sleep apnoea men often ignore
When your breathing repeatedly stops during sleep, oxygen and sleep cycles are disrupted leading to a less-than-fresh wake up.
See how many of the below you tick: one or more? Book an appointment with your GP, fellas.
- Loud, consistent snoring
- Waking up gasping or choking
- Feeling wrecked even after 7–8 hours sleep
- Brain fog, poor focus at work
- Morning headaches
- Mood changes or irritability
- Low libido or performance issues
Why sleep apnoea matters for your long-term health
In case you need another (gentle) nudge to check it out…left untreated, sleep apnoea can impact more than your energy levels.
It’s linked to:
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease and stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- Mental health challenges and poor focus.1
How to get tested for sleep apnoea
If you think you might have sleep apnoea, the next step is simple. Book a visit with your GP. Diagnosis usually involves a sleep study, either in a clinic or at home, which tracks your breathing, oxygen levels and sleep patterns. You’ll sleep with a small portable monitor, with a few sensors placed on your body to quietly track your sleep overnight. If you’re keen to learn more about sleep studies, check out this article on everything you need to know about what happens during a sleep study.
You’re probably thinking: ‘Will I have to wear a mask to bed?’
While this may be the first thing that comes to mind should you hear the words “you have sleep apnoea”, mask life isn’t always on the cards.
While a CPAP (continuous positivee airway pressure) machine is a common and effective treatment, there are still other options of treatment your GP or specialist will explore if your symptoms are mild. And for many people, especially those with mild symptoms, there are ways to improve your sleep apnoea.
Depending on your symptoms and what’s causing your sleep apnoea, your doctor might suggest:
- Lifestyle changes
Losing weight, reducing alcohol, or changing sleep position can make a big difference for some people. - Oral appliances (mouthguards)
These are small, custom-made devices worn in your mouth at night to help keep your airway open, no mask required. - Positional therapy
Some people only experience sleep apnoea when sleeping on their back, so simple adjustments can help. - CPAP therapy
For moderate to severe cases, a CPAP machine can be incredibly effective. It gently keeps your airway open while you sleep and modern options are much quieter and more comfortable than people expect.
If you do need a CPAP machine, it’s not something to fear, many people say they feel significantly better within days or weeks of starting treatment.
And if you don’t? There are still plenty of other options to explore.
New and emerging treatment (to dream about)
A recent study has found promising results for a new once‑nightly pill that could help treat obstructive sleep apnoea by tackling the root cause, airway collapse during sleep. Unlike CPAP machines, which use air pressure to keep the airway open, this medication (called AD109) works by helping keep the throat muscles active, so the airway is less likely to collapse. In a large clinical trial, people who took the pill had fewer breathing interruptions, better oxygen levels, and overall improvements in how severe their sleep apnoea was, with some even seeing their condition return to normal levels.
While CPAP remains the gold standard, researchers say this pill could offer a simpler option for people who struggle to use a mask.
6 small steps men can take toward better health
What changes when you finally treat sleep apnea?
With the right treatment, many men notice:
- More energy during the day
- Better focus and concentration
- Improved mood
- More consistent, restful sleep
The most important thing is getting the right diagnosis and finding a treatment that works for you, because better sleep can have a big impact on your mood, energy, and overall health.
Sources:
1 Better Health – Sleep Apnea
* To claim for this Pharmacy benefit, HBF members must meet all cover and provider eligibility requirements. Please see your provider for more information.
This article contains general information only and does not take into account the health, personal situation or needs of any person. In conjunction with your GP or treating health care professional, please consider whether the information is suitable for you and your personal circumstances.
