Sleep apnoea affects one in every four males aged 30 years or older and can be defined as the collapsing of the upper airways during sleep, resulting in altered breathing.
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The severity is determined by on the number of times a person stops breathing for greater than 10 seconds (also known as an interruption) in an hour period.
- Mild- between 5-15 interruptions per hour
- Moderate- between 15-30 interruptions per hour
- Severe – greater than 30 interruptions per hour
Some people can stop breathing for up to two minutes and remain consciously unaware it’s happening.
Who’s at risk?
Age and obesity are the two greatest risks for sleep apnoea with 92 per cent of all males obese and older than 45 years of ages having some degree of sleep apnoea.
Your risk is increased if you:
- Regularly drink alcohol or smoke
- Are overweight or obese
- Have a family history of sleep apnoea
- Suffer from thyroid dysfunction, nasal congestion or obstructions
- Have a large neck and certain jaw structure
- Signs and Symptoms
- Constant feeling of tired and fatigued during the day,
- Poor concentration and frequent morning headaches,
- Irritability and changes in mood
- Loud snoring and frequent waking to go to the bathroom.
Diagnosis
Sleep apnoea can be diagnosed using either a overnight sleep lab test (known as a polysomnography or PSG) or a home sleep test (HST).
According to our local Sleep Apnoea Specialist an at home-sleep test is the best option as it allows the patient to remain at home, in their own environment for the duration of the test and the equipment used in minimally invasive.
The afternoon of the test the patient comes in and the sleep apnoea specialist will set you up in the clinic with testing device.
After the device is set up all you need to do is go home and complete your sleep routine as normal.
The next morning the equipment is returned to your specialist and the results sent away for analysis.
Long-term consequences
If left untreated obstructive sleep apnoea can increase your risk of hypertension, heart disease (including heart attacks and heart failure), strokes and diabetes.
However, treating your sleep apnoea can also help improve your blood sugar stability and improve hypertension.
Treatment
There is no single treatment that works for everyone, for this reason it is important to talk to your GP, respiratory specialist and sleep apnoea consultant.
Life style management can be helpful in reducing the severity of Sleep apnoea and can include reducing your intake of alcohol and losing weight, however a CPAP machine is often required.
CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airways Pressure and is considered the most effective treatment method of sleep apnoea.
It involves the use of a special machine during sleep, connected to a nose or facemask via tubing.
The machine gently increases air pressure in your throat holding it open, thus preventing snoring and sleep apnoea.
Recommendations
- Reduce your intake of alcohol; cigarettes, sleeping pills or natural sedatives before bed- If you are on prescription medication talk to your GP first.
- Weight loss as central obesity is the biggest risk factor for sleep apnoea.
- Avoid sleeping on your back as this can result in the muscles in the back of your throat collapsing, resulting in interruptions.
- Treat nasal blockages – if you suffer from allergies, sinus disease or a deviated septum; all can worsen sleep apnoea- talk to your doctor and pharmacist.
- If you are concerned that you or your family may have sleep apnoea please your local contact your doctor or local sleep apnoea specialist.
