Sleep apnoea is a common yet often overlooked sleep disorder characterised by brief and repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. These interruptions can significantly affect one’s health and quality of life.
This article explores sleep apnoea, its effects on health, symptoms, risk factors, diagnostic methods, and available treatments in Auckland.
What is Sleep Apnoea?
Sleep apnoea involves brief and repeated stops in breathing during sleep, often due to a blockage of the upper airway.
The most prevalent form, obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), occurs when the throat muscles periodically relax and obstruct the airway.
Less commonly, sleep apnoea can result from the brain’s difficulty in signalling the muscles that control breathing, known as central sleep apnoea.
How Does Sleep Apnoea Affect Your Health?
Firstly, interrupted sleep patterns caused by sleep apnoea lead to poor sleep quality, resulting in significant daytime fatigue and impaired cognitive function.
Additionally, chronic untreated sleep apnoea increases the risk of serious health issues, including:
- Cardiovascular disease
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Stroke
Frequent drops in blood oxygen levels stress the cardiovascular system, which consequently contributes to these health risks.
What are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnoea?
Recognising the symptoms of sleep apnoea is crucial for seeking timely treatment. Firstly, the primary symptoms often include loud and frequent snoring, which is a common indicator of the obstructive condition.
Individuals may also experience sleep disruptions caused by a gasping or choking sensation that wakes them up, indicating a temporary inability to breathe properly. These occurrences can happen several times during the night, resulting in disrupted sleep.
Moreover, the impact of the disorder during the day can be significant. Excessive daytime sleepiness is a common consequence. It reduces alertness and increases the risk of accidents, particularly while driving or operating machinery.
Many people with the disorder also report waking up with morning headaches and a sore throat. This is due to low oxygen levels and dryness in the throat from repeated breathing interruptions.
Additionally, secondary symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, memory problems, mood swings, irritability and decreased sexual desire.
In more extreme cases, even depression can manifest, further affecting an individual’s quality of life.
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What Factors Increase the Risk of Sleep Apnoea?
Hence, understanding the risk factors for the condition can help recognise individuals who are more prone to this condition. Here are some of the factors to look out for:
1. Physical Attributes
Firstly, physical attributes play a significant role. Obesity is a major risk factor, as extra body weight contributes to airway obstruction.
In addition, anatomical features such as a narrow airway, enlarged tonsils, or adenoids can increase the risk.
Structural features like a recessed chin or a thick neck may also further restrict the airway, making it more probable to collapse during sleep.
2. Demographic
Moreover, demographic factors also influence the likelihood of developing the disorder. For example, being male and older significantly increases the risk.
A family history of the condition is another critical factor, as genetic predispositions can make it more probable for an individual to develop the disorder.
3. Lifestyle
Furthermore, behavioural influences such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and the use of sedatives and tranquillisers exacerbate the condition.
Smoking inflames and obstructs the airway more than in non-smokers, while alcohol and sedatives relax the throat muscles, which can worsen airway collapse during sleep.
How to Test for Sleep Apnoea?
Accurate diagnosis of the condition is crucial for effective treatment. Testing typically involves several steps.
1. Initial Assessment
First, the ENT specialist would review symptoms and medical history, including patterns of sleep disturbances and daytime symptoms. Family history is also considered during this initial review.
2. Sleep Studies
Next comes the studies. Polysomnography is a comprehensive test conducted in a sleep lab. It involves monitoring multiple bodily functions overnight, including:
- Brain activity
- Eye movements
- Heart rate
- Breathing patterns
- Blood oxygen levels
3. Home-Based Tests
However, for less complex cases, a home sleep apnoea test may be recommended. This test focuses on airflow, breathing patterns, and blood oxygen levels, providing a convenient and cost-effective diagnostic option.
What Treatments Are Available for Sleep Apnoea in Auckland?
There are several effective treatments for sleep apnoea available in Auckland, including:
1. Lifestyle Modifications
Reducing the symptoms can be significantly achieved through weight loss, adjusting sleep positions to enhance breathing, abstaining from alcohol and smoking, and keeping a consistent sleep schedule.
2. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
CPAP machines maintain open airways during sleep by using gentle air pressure. They are the most common and effective treatment for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea.
3. Oral Appliances
Designed to keep the throat open, these devices are fitted by a dentist specialising in sleep apnoea. They are an alternative for those who find CPAP machines uncomfortable.
4. Surgical Options
Surgical procedures might include removing or shrinking obstructing tissues, repositioning anatomical elements to prevent airway collapse, or, in children, removing the tonsils and adenoids.
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Take Your First Steps to Heal with ENT Specialist Auckland
In conclusion, sleep apnoea is a serious condition that requires attention and care. If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of it, consult an ENT specialist for an evaluation and to discuss the treatment options.
Regular check-ups can help manage symptoms effectively and improve quality of life. ENT Specialist Auckland provides reliable, minimally invasive adult and children ENT services.
Contact us and schedule a consultation with our highly skilled ENT surgeon today.
