Health & wellbeing
Sleep apnoea: sleeping better to age well
This article is based on the talk given on 2 July 2026 by Dr Christos Maragkoudakis, FMH pulmonology specialist and head of a dedicated sleep apnoea service, at the Residence’s health symposium. The presentation shown that day is available for download at the bottom of this page.
Sleeping well is not a luxury: it is one of the pillars of ageing well. Yet a very common sleep disorder — and one that is widely underestimated after 60 — can silently damage your nights: obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). The good news from this talk can be summed up in one sentence: this syndrome is easy to screen for, can be diagnosed without heavy testing, and is treated better and better.
What is sleep apnoea?
During sleep, the muscles of the throat relax. In some people, the upper airways then close repeatedly: breathing stops (apnoea) or is strongly reduced (hypopnoea) several times an hour, and the brain briefly wakes up to catch its breath — often without the sleeper even noticing.
The result: fragmented, unrefreshing sleep, and a body that spends its nights on alert instead of resting.
Why think about it after 60?
OSAS is not a rare condition, and age is one of its main risk factors: it particularly affects people over 60. Other elements increase the likelihood of suffering from it:
- cardiovascular conditions (high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, atrial fibrillation) or diabetes,
- a neurological condition such as Parkinson’s disease or memory problems,
- being a man (men are about twice as affected),
- a family history of sleep apnoea,
- being overweight.
It is precisely because these situations become common with age that screening deserves to be systematic: untreated apnoea sustains high blood pressure, tires the heart and weighs on mood and memory alike.
The questions to ask yourself
Screening starts with a few very simple questions, taken from the sleep questionnaire presented during the talk:
- Do you have cardiovascular conditions (high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, diabetes)?
- Are you overweight?
- Is your sleep unrefreshing?
- Do you feel tired during the day?
- Do you experience daytime sleepiness?
- Do you snore during your sleep?
- Do you wake up at night with a choking sensation?
If you answer “yes” to several of these questions — or if those around you notice loud snoring or pauses in your breathing — talk to your doctor. That simple conversation can change the quality of all your nights.
Diagnosis has become simple
In most cases there is no need for a hospital stay: diagnosis relies on polygraphy, a sleep recording carried out on an outpatient basis, arranged by the specialist, which analyses at least four hours of sleep — often comfortably at home. In some situations, a more complete recording (polysomnography) is offered.
Treatments have come a long way
The treatment is chosen with the specialist, according to each person’s situation and the severity of the condition:
- Positional therapy, when apnoea occurs mainly while sleeping on the back;
- The mandibular advancement device, a splint worn at night that keeps the back of the throat clear;
- CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), the reference treatment: a mask connected to a small device keeps the airways open during sleep.
CPAP still carries a reputation for discomfort dating back to the 1980s, the era of rigid, noisy masks. Today’s masks are nothing like them: soft silicone, light and minimalist designs, nasal cushions, adjustable headgear, magnetic clips and “air-touch” materials. Well chosen and well fitted — comfortable, never overly tight — the mask is soon forgotten, and the specialist’s support makes all the difference.
Why get treated? What the research says
Treating your apnoea is not just about stopping snoring. The studies presented during the talk show that CPAP treatment:
- improves or preserves cognitive functions, in particular memory and executive functions,
- improves mood, with better scores on depression scales,
- reduces daytime sleepiness and durably improves quality of life.
In other words: breathing better at night protects your mind, your heart and your energy during the day.
What to remember
The talk ended with three simple messages:
- Think about it: persistent tiredness, snoring, high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems or low spirits should bring sleep apnoea to mind.
- Screen, then diagnose: a few questions are enough to raise the alarm, an outpatient recording to confirm it.
- Get support: properly explained and properly adjusted, the treatment truly changes your nights — and your days.
At the Residence, the Parc medical centre is right at the foot of the apartments: if these lines remind you of your nights or those of a loved one, your doctor is the right person to talk to first.
Download the presentation (PDF)