Sleep apnoea and improving sleep health: Nursing update

Sleep apnoea has a significant impact on people’s health, safety and quality of life. There are an estimated 1.5 million people in the UK – almost one in four women and more than 40% of men – living with obstructive sleep apnoea, but up to 85% are undiagnosed. Underdiagnosis means many people struggle with symptoms such as fatigue, poor concentration and mood changes.Sleep apnoea increases the risk of serious health conditions. And conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are common in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea.This webinar will give nurses the knowledge and strategies they need to identify and support people with sleep apnoea to improve their outcomes.

Learning objectivesBy the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:

• recognise both common and subtle signs and symptoms of sleep apnoea, including presentations more frequently seen in women and those with comorbidities.
• understand the association between sleep apnoea and key health conditions, including uncontrolled hypertension, atrial fibrillation, erectile dysfunction, and persistent headaches in women.
• know how and when to refer patients for further investigation in line with NHS clinical pathways, and support them through the screening and diagnosis process