Millions of people in the UK search Google each month for answers about their sleeping patterns, highlighting widespread uncertainty about what is considered normal.
Comfybedss, an online retailer specialising in beds and mattresses, analysed monthly Google search data to identify the most common sleep-related questions. Sleep expert Dr Deborah Lee from Doctor Fox, working with Comfybedss, provided evidence-based answers to the five most frequently searched queries.
Can sleep apnoea kill you?
This question is searched around 13,000 times each month.
Dr Lee said: “Sleep apnoea itself won’t exactly ‘kill’ you in a way that illnesses might, although it can lead to serious health problems further down the line. Sleep apnoea, a condition that causes repeated pauses in breathing as you’re sleeping, contributes to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and even accidents that can be related to daytime fatigue.
In extremely severe cases, these risks can compound and become fatal, so you’re best getting it checked by a doctor sooner rather than later, especially if you have several of the symptoms that come alongside sleep apnoea. These include choking during sleeping, loud snoring or excessive tiredness throughout the day.
The good news is that it is treatable, usually with some generic lifestyle changes, CPAP machines or medical interventions.”
Research shows that untreated obstructive sleep apnoea significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular complications, including sudden cardiac death. People with moderate to severe cases also face a higher overall mortality risk.
How much deep sleep do you need?
This is searched about 11,000 times a month.
Dr Lee said: “This isn’t a ‘one-size-fits-all’ answer, and the right answer is dependent on each person. Some people may feel as though they can’t function if they get under eight hours sleep a night, whereas some people may feel as though anything above five works perfectly well for them. However, it is recommended that we aim for around seven hours of sleep a night.
The amount of deep sleep that you get will depend on lifestyle factors, age and overall health. Stereotypically, teenagers are renowned to stay in bed until the middle of the morning and this is exactly why. Meanwhile, if you’re over the age of 50 plus, you might consider yourself very lucky compared to your friends and family.
Deep sleep, known to some people as the slow wave sleep, is the most physically restorative stage of the sleep cycle, making up around 10%–25% of the total sleep. During this stage, your body repairs tissues, builds muscle, strengthens the immune systems and even consolidates memories.
The easiest way to know whether you have had enough deep sleep is by waking up refreshed, alert and ready to seize the day.”
Health guidance recommends that adults aim for at least seven hours of sleep per night, with deep sleep typically accounting for about 10%–20% of total sleep.
What is sleep apnoea?
This question receives about 9,800 monthly searches.
Dr Lee said: “Sleep apnoea is a common sleep disorder where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you sleep. The most common type, obstructive sleep apnoea, happens when the muscles in the throat relax too much, temporarily blocking the airway. This leads to waking up throughout the night, often without you even noticing, as your body struggles to get back into the rhythm of breathing. Symptoms typically include loud snoring, gasping for breath or choking during sleep, morning headaches, and as it can lead to reduced time in REM sleep, it can therefore lead to increased daytime sleepiness.
Because these interruptions can happen hundreds of times each night, sleep apnoea stops you from reaching deeper, restorative stages of sleep.”
The condition involves repeated breathing pauses lasting at least 10 seconds, often occurring multiple times per hour. It fragments sleep and is linked to excessive daytime tiredness, with estimates suggesting around 1 in 5 UK adults may be affected.
Does magnesium help you sleep?
This is searched around 9,600 times each month.
Dr Lee said: “Magnesium can help you fix your sleep, but it isn’t a magic pill. It can help lower cortisol levels and also support the production of melatonin, what everyone needs to help get a better night’s sleep.
However, the evidence is fairly mixed on magnesium, and it’ll differ on a case by case basis. If you’re struggling to sleep and you’ve not made any lifestyle changes before taking magnesium, that is, reducing smoking, drinking, sugary drinks and so on, then do this before becoming reliant on magnesium.
However, before taking magnesium, it’s important to see your GP beforehand if you have any chronic medical conditions or take regular medication.”
Research reviews show mixed evidence on magnesium supplements. Some studies link higher magnesium levels to better sleep quality, but clinical trials show inconsistent results. Experts recommend focusing on lifestyle changes first and seeking medical advice before using supplements.
What is REM sleep?
This question is searched about 8,400 times per month.
Dr Lee said: “REM stands for Rapid Eye Movement, and this type of sleep is the stage of the cycle that is most associated with dreaming.
It typically occurs in cycles throughout the night, becoming longer in the early morning hours. During REM sleep, brain activity increases to levels similar to when you’re awake, while the body temporarily becomes paralysed to prevent you from acting out dreams. This stage plays a crucial role in emotional regulation, memory consolidation, and learning. Adults usually spend around 20%–25% of their sleep in REM, which equates to roughly 90–120 minutes per night. Disruptions to REM sleep, often caused by stress, alcohol, or poor sleep routines, can leave you feeling mentally foggy and seriously fatigued throughout the day, even if you’ve had a long enough sleep overall.”
REM sleep typically accounts for about 20%–25% of total sleep and supports memory processing and emotional regulation.
Importance of better sleep awareness
Dr Lee emphasised that reliable information can help people improve their sleep habits. She said simple steps such as keeping consistent bedtimes, maintaining a dark and cool sleeping environment, and seeking medical advice for persistent issues like suspected sleep apnoea can make a significant difference.
With millions of searches each month, improving public understanding of sleep remains important for overall health.