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Sleep Apnoea

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea unfortunately has become common within the UK, with approximately of 1 in 5 people thought to suffering, 80% of those are thought not to be aware they have the condition. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea occurs as a result of narrowing or closure of the upper airway during sleep, which naturally then disturbs the soundness of one’s sleep.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnoea?

When you breathe, air travels through your mouth and/or nose, down your throat through your windpipe and into your lungs; the narrowest part of that pathway being in the back of your throat. While sleeping, the muscles relax which makes for the pathway to narrow, which as a result can cause snoring. However for some people, the throat closes significantly and as a result enough air can’t get through to the lungs; the brain then sends an alarm to open the airway. Most often this is associated with the individual experiencing a disturbance or brief arousal from their sleep- the brain reactivates the muscles that hold the throat open so that the air gets through again, and then brain goes back to sleep. This in its entirety is known as Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.

Symptoms    

The core symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea include excessive daytime sleeping, snoring and witnessed apnoeas or hypopnoeas (blockages or partial blockages of the airway leading to breathing cessations). Anyone can be affected by this condition, however it is more common within males, the middle aged, the elderly and those who are overweight. Unfortunately however 85% of individuals who are suffering from this condition remain without treatment as the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea hasn’t occurred. As a result of the latter, serious health problems can occur in the long run including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and even stroke. In the short term however, the following symptoms can occur, characterized by daytime symptoms and night time symptoms;

Daytime Symptoms

  • Sleepiness
  • Weight Gain
  • Short Temper
  • No Motivation
  • Headaches
  • Waking un-refreshed
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Sore Throat
  • Poor concentration
  • Low mood
  • Poor memory
  • Difficulty rising from bed

 

Night Time Symptoms

  • Snoring
  • Sweating
  • Frequent awakenings
  • Dry mouth
  • Breathe holding
  • Frequent toilets visits
  • Insomnia
  • Sore throat
  • Gasping/choking
  • Restless sleep
  • Heart palpitations
  • Frequent position changes

 

Feeling anxious? Don’t be worried about a thing- we at the Sleep Disorder Clinic have a vast amount of experience in diagnosing and treating obstructive sleep apnoea.  

How Can We Help?

With the aid of our Sleep Study, the most detailed home sleep study available in the UK, we are able to analyse the data which we receive from your end via the Sleep Study Kit (sent to your home, to be worn for two nights). Not just this, the analysis can be done on the same day and a specialist will contact you with a follow up call to discuss your symptoms, results and potential treatment methods- a report will be provided accordingly. You are free to seek the treatment then either at the NHS or with us at the Sleep Disorders Clinic.