Obstructive sleep apnoea is the most common type of sleep apnoea, making up 84% of sleep apnoea diagnoses.

In most cases of obstructive sleep apnoea, air stops flowing to the lungs because of a blockage (or obstruction) in the upper airway-that is, in the nose or throat.

The upper airway could become blocked due to:

1. The muscles relaxing too much during sleep, which blocks sufficient air from getting through

2. The weight of your neck narrowing the airway

3. Inflamed tonsils, or other temporary reasons

4. Structural reasons, like the shape of the nose, neck or jaw