British Lung Foundation welcomes new NICE guidance for people with Sleep Apnoea - 26/03/08

Guidance issued today by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence says that Continuous Positive Airways Pressure should be made available to people who suffer from Sleep Apnoea.

Sleep Apnoea is a lung condition that affects 110,000 people in the UK. Symptoms include heavy snoring, daytime sleepiness and poor concentration.

‘Sleep Apnoea is usually caused by narrowing of the throat during sleep as a result of the relaxation of soft tissue in the back of the throat and tongue,” says Dr John Moore Gillon, Vice President of The British Lung Foundation. “This reduces or blocks the passage of air into the lungs during sleep. Continuous Positive Airways Pressure blows a gentle stream of air through the nose to keep the throat open during sleep. The British Lung Foundation has funded studies showing the benefits of CPAP and we welcome any development that improves the range of treatments available to people with Sleep Apnoea”.

Sleep Apnoea is one of the most common sleep disorders but it’s thought that only one in ten patients have been diagnosed with the condition.

For more information please contact Casey Purkiss or Katherine Huntly or call the Press Office on 020 7688 5564