What is Sleep Apnoea?
In short sleep apnoea is the stopping and starting of breathing during sleep.
Sleep Apnoea commonly knows as OSA (obstructive sleep apnoea) is linked to obesity, aging and underlying pulmonary or cardiovascular issues.
So what actually is it? Well, OSA is a sleeping disorder in which breathing is briefly and repeatedly interrupted. Meaning the effected person stops breathing for a short period of time whilst they sleep.
These pauses in breathing can occur when the muscles in the back of the throat fail to keep the airway open during sleep. Often this is related to obstruction from the airways becoming relaxed or narrowed.
For more information on Sleep Apnoea and what it is click here.
How Do You Know If You Have Sleep Apnoea?
Most will be told by their partner or those living with them that they are snoring, gasping or making chocking noises during sleep. It may even be noticeable that breathing has stopped. A key indicator for the sufferer themselves is chronic tiredness and unrestful sleep.
Whilst some Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) sufferers do not exhibit all of the symptoms they will usually experience one or more. However, some symptoms will be unnoticeable unless medical attention is sought. For example:
- Low blood oxygen levels
- Hypertension
- Heart disease
But there are indicators you or your family may notice, which should lead to seeking medical attention. These include:
- Mood change (feeling irritable, short tempered, depressed)
- Memory problems
- Fragmented sleep
- Extreme tiredness leading to clumsy episodes, drowsy driving, change in eating habits and sleeping during the day.
There are genetics specialists that believe Sleep Apnoea is passed down through families. However, there are many lifestyle factors that increase the risk of OSA that are more likely to be the most common cause.
Being 40 years or older puts you at risk, although people in the age group of 65 and over are at a much higher risk than other age groups. Obesity also causes a higher possibility of developing sleep apnoea.
Stats show that generally around 9% of women and 25% of men in Australia have clinically significant OSA.
What To Do If You Suspect You Have OSA?
If you or a family member suspects you may be suffering from Sleep Apnoea your first action should be to see your doctor. It may be useful to bring a family member along to help explain the concerns. As you may not be aware of some of them.
The most common way to get diagnosis is from a sleep clinic. Private sleep clinics allow bookings, or you can be referred by your doctor if he or she suspects you have OSA.
Clinics like Sleep Health can help you with diagnosis and seeking treatment.
To get a diagnosis you will spend the night at a sleep clinic where you will be monitored throughout your sleep. Things like blood oxygen levels, brain waves, sleep state, heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored.
It is possible that you will be asked to wear a CPAP machine, which is essentially a mask that helps you breathe as you sleep.
Treatment type and next steps will be advised after your sleep study has been complete. The type of treatment you are given is dependent upon the severity.
A common treatment is CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machines or masks.
There are also lifestyle based actions you can take to prevent OSA and to help treat it.
These include losing weight, wearing a specific gum shield for sleep, sleeping with your head propped up slightly, exercising and eating well, and sleeping on your side.
Is Treatment For OSA Important?
All treatment is important. Sleep Apnoea can be life threatening at the more severe level.
Whilst there have been cases of people passing away during sleep as a result of Sleep Apnoea this is in extreme cases.
If mild cases are left untreated it is likely the sufferer will continue to show symptoms explained above. OSA untreated is detrimental to health in the longer term and can result in stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure and other serious health conditions.
There are multiple things you can do at home if you are only suffering mildly. There are also some basic treatment methods like gum shields or tonsil removal.
To answer the question of treatment importance, it is vital for anyone displaying symptoms of OSA to be seen by a professional, so appropriate treatment and advice can be given.
