Every year, World COPD Day (19th November) shines a light on chronic respiratory health and this year, it’s also a reminder of how sleep apnoea symptoms can affect both your breathing and your overall well-being. Many people living with conditions like COPD experience disrupted sleep, and issues such as loud snoring, shallow breathing or gasping during the night can be signs of something more serious. Understanding the link between COPD and sleep apnoea could be key to improving both your sleep and your quality of life.
What are sleep apnoea symptoms?
Sleep apnoea symptoms can often go unnoticed, especially if you sleep alone. The most common signs include loud snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep, waking up choking or gasping, morning headaches and excessive tiredness during the day. These symptoms occur when the airway becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep, leading to repeated interruptions in breathing.
If you or your partner have noticed these symptoms, it’s important to take them seriously. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) affects millions of adults in the UK and is closely linked to health conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease and COPD. Whilst snoring itself might seem harmless, persistent loud snoring can often be one of the first sleep apnoea symptoms to appear.
COPD and sleep apnoea
People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) already experience reduced airflow and breathing difficulties. When COPD and sleep apnoea occur together – a condition sometimes known as “overlap syndrome” – the effects can be particularly severe. Oxygen levels can drop more drastically during the night, leading to increased fatigue, poor concentration and even strain on the heart.
Poor-quality sleep can make COPD symptoms worse during the day, whilst sleep apnoea symptoms like gasping or restless sleep can further reduce oxygen intake. This cycle can take a toll on both physical and mental health, which is why recognising and addressing separate sleep issues such as snoring or mild sleep apnoea is so important for supporting better-quality rest.
How to manage sleep apnoea symptoms
If you think you might be showing signs of sleep apnoea, the first step is to speak with your doctor. They may suggest a sleep study to monitor your breathing overnight and determine the severity of your condition. Treatment options can vary depending on your diagnosis, from lifestyle changes and positional therapy to devices designed to improve airflow.
For mild-to-moderate cases, oral appliances can help. The Snoreeze Oral Device is an anti-snoring mouthpiece that holds your jaw forward whilst you sleep, helping to keep your airway open and reduce snoring and interrupted breathing. While it’s not a cure for sleep apnoea, it may help to reduce sleep apnoea symptoms and improve airflow for a quieter, more restful night.
If nasal congestion contributes to your snoring, Snoreeze Nasal Spray, Nasal Strips or Nasal Dilators may also help – these are effective snoring solutions that target what causes snoring and promote easier breathing.
Why better sleep is important for breathing and beyond
Quality sleep isn’t just about feeling rested, it’s vital for maintaining strong immune health, cognitive function and mood stability. For people living with COPD, disrupted sleep can add to daytime fatigue and make day-to-day management feel even harder. Separately, sleep apnoea symptoms such as gasping, loud snoring or frequent awakenings can also impact sleep quality and increase stress on the body.
Simple lifestyle changes, such as avoiding alcohol before bed, sleeping on your side or maintaining a healthy weight can support more comfortable nights in general. For those whose sleep is affected specifically by snoring or mild-to-moderate sleep apnoea, snoring relief solutions such as the Snoreeze Oral Device may help reduce airway vibration and support more restful sleep.
This World COPD Day, take a moment to reflect on how your nighttime breathing affects your daytime health. If you’ve been ignoring sleep apnoea symptoms, now’s the time to act. Small steps, like improving your sleep quality and managing snoring, can lead to big improvements in your long-term well-being.
Better breathing at night means better living by day.
Be sure to sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date with our latest products and insights.