What is Sleep Apnoea? Testing, Treatment and CPAP Options
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops or becomes restricted during sleep because the upper airway collapses. These interruptions can reduce sleep quality and leave you feeling tired, even after a full night in bed.
At Cate’s Chemist, we offer a complete sleep apnoea service, including eligible bulk-billed sleep investigations, CPAP treatment trials, treatment reviews and CPAP equipment.
What are the symptoms of sleep apnoea?
Many people do not realise they may have sleep apnoea until a partner or family member notices the symptoms. Common signs and risk factors include:
- Loud or frequent snoring
- Pauses in breathing during sleep
- Waking with gasping or choking sensations
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Constant fatigue or lack of energy
- Interrupted or fragmented sleep
- Difficulty concentrating
- High blood pressure that is difficult to control
- Obesity
Untreated sleep apnoea may be associated with high blood pressure, neurocognitive impairment, cardiovascular disease and stroke. You can learn more from the Sleep Health Foundation.
How is sleep apnoea diagnosed?
If your doctor suspects sleep apnoea, they may refer you for an Overnight Ambulatory Investigation. This allows information about your breathing and sleep to be collected overnight and reviewed by a Sleep Physician.
Overnight Ambulatory Investigations arranged through Cate’s Chemist are fully bulk billed, with no out-of-pocket expense for eligible patients. A referral from your doctor is required. We coordinate the investigation and results with a Sleep Physician, who reports back to your referring doctor.
Referral forms and further assistance are available from Cate’s Chemist Hyde Park.
What is CPAP treatment?
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, commonly known as CPAP, delivers a gentle flow of air through a mask to help keep the airway open during sleep. If a Sleep Physician and your GP determine that CPAP may be suitable, they may recommend a CPAP Treatment Trial.
Can I trial a CPAP machine before buying one?
Cate’s Chemist offers two-to-four-week CPAP Treatment Trials. This “try before you buy” approach allows you and your healthcare team to assess whether CPAP treatment is effective before you purchase a machine.
A hire fee applies to the trial. After the trial, a Sleep Physician provides a detailed report to your referring doctor, who can then develop a management plan and make recommendations based on the results.
What CPAP equipment is available?
Cate’s Chemist partners with ResMed to provide CPAP equipment for different treatment and lifestyle needs. Available options include:
How can Cate’s Chemist help?
Our sleep apnoea services support patients through three key stages:
- Testing: Overnight Ambulatory Investigation for eligible patients with a doctor’s referral.
- Trial and review: A CPAP Treatment Trial followed by assessment and reporting.
- Equipment: CPAP machines and support for ongoing treatment.
If you experience loud snoring, interrupted breathing, daytime sleepiness or persistent fatigue, speak with your doctor about whether a sleep apnoea assessment may be appropriate.
Learn more about sleep apnoea testing, CPAP trials and CPAP equipment at Cate’s Chemist.
This information is general and does not replace advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. Service eligibility, fees, product availability and referral requirements should be confirmed before publication and at the time of booking.
