Roman Kemp, Capital Breakfast show presenter and son of Spandau Ballet and EastEnders star Martin Kemp, has shared that he has been diagnosed with a debilitating medical conditions as a result of his busy showbiz schedule.
The star has to sleep with special medical equipment as a result of his sleep apnoea - although he originally thought he had narcolepsy.
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He told the Mail: "My tiredness levels were debilitating, and they said to me it was because of my job and I said this is different.
"I was talking with people where I thought I was verging on narcolepsy because I was mid-conversation and would be snoring and not realising, it was very strange."
Here's everything you need to know about sleep apnoea and its symptoms:
What is sleep apnoea?
According to the NHS, sleep apnoea is when your breathing stops and starts while you sleep. The most common typeof the condition is called obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
Mayo Clinic explained: "This type of apnea occurs when your throat muscles intermittently relax and block your airway during sleep. A noticeable sign of obstructive sleep apnea is snoring."
If you are diagnosed as having sleep apnoea, you may have to use a CPAP machine while you sleep, which "gently pumps air into a mask you wear over your mouth or nose."
Roman admitted that wearing the equipment isn't ideal, telling the Mail: "The doctors told me I must wear an oxygen mask. There is absolutely nothing sexy about going back to Roman Kemp's house.
"They are expecting candles and mood lighting but they're getting a Darth Vader impression into an oxygen tank."
What are the symptoms of sleep apnoea?
The NHS reports that the main symptoms of sleep apnoea that happen while you sleep include:
- breathing stopping and starting
- making gasping, snorting or choking noises
- waking up a lot
- loud snoring
During the day, you may also:
- feel very tired
- find it hard to concentrate
- have mood swings
- have a headache when you wake up
The NHS warns that "it can be hard to tell if you have sleep apnoea" and anyone who suspects that may have it should "ask someone to stay with you while you sleep so they can check for the symptoms".
The NHS said there are things a person can do to help the condition if the symptoms are mild, such as trying to lose weight (if a person is overweight) and sleeping on your side.
To make sure you do this, the health service suggests taping a tennis ball to the back of your pyjamas, or buying a special pillow.
People can also avoid sleeping pills, alcohol and smoking to help with the condition.
