What is Sleep Apnoea?
Sleep apnoea is a serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. Sleep apnoea is a condition where the upper airway collapses during sleep and causes a partial or complete blockage of airflow to the lungs.
It has the potential to have detrimental effects on your health and lifestyle. Sleep apnoea can lead to you feeling tired throughout the day.
Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnoea
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Snoring: intermittent with pauses
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Excessive daytime sleepiness
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Choking or gasping for air during the night
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Non refreshing light sleep
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Poor memory
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Irritability, personality changes, depression
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Decreased sex drive
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Nocturia
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Morning headaches
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Gastro-oesophageal reflux
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Bruxism
Medical consequences of Sleep Apnoea:
There are many medical consequences of sleep apnoea, including:
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Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease
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Depression
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Diabetes-Insulin resistance
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Cancer
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Dementia
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Increased mortality
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Excessive Daytime sleepiness
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Increased accidents -there is an association between untreated sleep apnea and the risk of road traffic accidents.
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Severe sleep apnoea may reduce life expectancy by 10-15 years.
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Sleep apnoea varies from mild to severe.
CPAP Treatment for Sleep Apnoea:
CPAP is considered the gold standard treatment for moderate to severe sleep apnoea. However, if CPAP can not be tolerated or compliance isn’t sufficient then a mandibular repositioning device can be used as treatment. This is an appliance that protrudes the mandible while sleeping therefore preventing or minimising upper airway collapse during the night.
