When to worry about unexplained weight gain with obstructive sleep apnoea

Obstructive sleep apnoea causes repeated narrowing or closure of the upper airway during sleep. Broken sleep can leave you tired and less active, while changes in appetite and stress hormones may make weight management harder. Weight can also worsen airway narrowing, creating a cycle that needs a tailored plan.

Clues include loud snoring, witnessed pauses, gasping during sleep, morning headaches, dry mouth, and sleepiness during the day. Weight gain does not confirm sleep apnoea, and sleepiness may have other causes, so assessment is useful.

Tell a clinician about snoring, breathing pauses, sleep quality, morning symptoms, and any near-misses from sleepiness while driving or working. Record recent weight and medicine changes. If you use prescribed airway treatment, use it as instructed and report problems with comfort or fit.

Keep a regular sleep schedule and avoid alcohol or sedating medicines near bedtime unless your prescriber has advised them. Do not drive when you feel too sleepy to stay alert.

Arrange a prompt review for worsening snoring, witnessed pauses, morning headaches, or daytime sleepiness. Seek urgent help for severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, or confusion. If sleepiness threatens road or workplace safety, stop the activity and obtain medical advice promptly.

Could my symptoms need a sleep assessment? Is my current airway treatment working? Could any medicine worsen sleepiness? What should I do if I feel drowsy while driving?