PATIENT INFORMATION
Obstructive sleep apnoea
Sleep apnoea is a condition where the airway repeatedly narrows or closes during sleep, causing pauses in breathing.
Why it matters
Sleep apnoea matters because sedatives, anaesthetic medicines and opioid painkillers can worsen airway obstruction and breathing after a procedure. People with sleep apnoea may need extra monitoring or a different pain-relief plan.
What to tell the team
- If you have diagnosed sleep apnoea
- If you use CPAP or BiPAP, and whether you use it every night
- If you snore loudly, or someone has noticed pauses in your breathing during sleep
- If you feel very sleepy during the day
Screening
Some clinics use a screening questionnaire such as STOP-Bang to identify patients who may be at increased risk. A high screening score does not by itself diagnose sleep apnoea. It helps guide planning and, in some cases, further assessment.
If you use CPAP or BiPAP
Ask whether you should bring your machine, mask and power cable to hospital. Many hospitals prefer patients to use their own machine after surgery.