Obstructive sleep apnoea is the most common sleep disorder in Australia but often goes undiagnosed and untreated. Around 5% of Australians live with the condition, including one in four men over the age of 30.
Sleep apnoea occurs when the upper airway becomes partially or completely obstructed during sleep, preventing air from reaching the lungs and causing someone to temporarily stop breathing.
Symptoms such as loud snoring, tiredness, morning headaches and mood changes are often dismissed as “normal” but are actually common symptoms of sleep apnoea. Fortunately, the condition is usually manageable with a diagnosis and the right equipment [1].
How can I get checked for sleep apnoea?
These days, checking for sleep apnoea is relatively simple.
Blooms The Chemist offers an online sleep quiz as a first step, with questions around sleep satisfaction, daytime sleepiness, and potential risk factors.
If the results indicate a high risk of sleep apnoea, patients can then book an overnight-at-home sleep apnoea test.
The results will be analysed by Blooms The Chemist’s sleep specialists, and returned within ten days.
Treatment options can then be discussed with a Blooms The Chemist Pharmacist.
What is a CPAP machine and do I need one?
Resmed has recently released the AirSense TM 11 Autoset TM 4G - a CPAP machine designed to make starting therapy comfortable and easy to understand.
This model is ideal for beginners, featuring voice-guided videos to help patients set up their equipment and troubleshoot common issues. It also has a ‘test drive’ function that allows patients to practice using the CPAP mask under different pressures, making it easier to adjust to the therapy.
At Blooms The Chemist, we offer Resmed CPAP machine trials*, during which patients can test the products at home to see which device is right for them. The trial also includes check-ins from a sleep coach to provide guidance and answer questions [2].
Sleep is unique to everyone, as is sleep apnoea treatment, so it’s important for patients to find the right CPAP machine to support their therapy.
*Available at participating Blooms the Chemists. Please contact your local Blooms the Chemist to confirm availability.
References:
- Better Health Channel - Sleep Apnoea. Available at: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/sleep-apnoea. Accessed September 2025.
- ResMed - AirSense 11 Autoset. Available at https://shop.resmed.com.au/collections/sleep-apnea-cpap-machines/products/airsense-11-autoset?variant=45744125477186. Accessed September 2025.