This Morning: Dr Ranj discusses sleep apnoea
Sleep apnoea is a potentially serious sleep disorder whereby breathing repeatedly stops and starts. Loud and snoring and episodes of interrupted breathing during sleep are warning signs. The sleep disorder can also afflict you during your waking hours.
Sleep apnoea can cause hypersomnia, which is characterised by recurrent episodes of excessive daytime sleepiness or prolonged nighttime sleep.
As the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) explains, hypersomnia is different from feeling tired due to lack of or interrupted sleep at night.
“Persons with hypersomnia are compelled to nap repeatedly during the day, often at inappropriate times such as at work, during a meal, or in conversation,” says NINDS.
It adds: “These daytime naps usually provide no relief from symptoms.”
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Other warning signs of sleep apnoea include:
- Gasping for air during sleep
- Awakening with a dry mouth
- Morning headache
- Difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)
- Difficulty paying attention while awake
- Irritability.
How are sleep apnoea disorders diagnosed?
According to Bupa, your GP will ask about your symptoms and examine you – they’ll ask you some questions to check if there’s anything else that could be making you feel sleepy or other reasons for your symptoms.
“They’ll want to know how your symptoms are affecting your daily life – including your work, ability to drive and relationships,” says the health body.
As it explains, if a partner has noticed problems with your breathing while you’re asleep, it can be useful for them to come to your appointment too.
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How is sleep apnoea treated?
Sleep apnoea does not always need to be treated if it’s mild but there are more specialist treatments available if necessary.
According to the NHS, many people need to use a device called a CPAP machine – you’ll be given this for free on the NHS if you need it.
A CPAP machine gently pumps air into a mask you wear over your mouth or nose while you sleep.
It can help:
- Improve your breathing while you sleep by stopping your airways getting too narrow
- Improve the quality of your sleep and help you feel less tired
- Reduce the risk of problems linked to sleep apnoea (like high blood pressure).
“Using a CPAP machine may feel strange or awkward at first, but try to keep using it. It works best if you use it every night,” advises the NHS.
It adds: “Tell your doctor if you find it uncomfortable or hard to use.”
How to treat milder cases
For milder cases of sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend only lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or quitting smoking, explains the Mayo Clinic.
“If you have nasal allergies, your doctor will recommend treatment for your allergies,” says the health body.
If all else fails, you may have to undergo surgery to treat the sleep disorder.
“While there are many surgical options, surgery should be tailored to the area of obstruction in each particular patient,” explains the American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA).
According to the ASAA, the sites of obstruction could be anywhere in the upper respiratory tract including the nose, tongue, and throat.
The most common and effective surgical procedures are:
- Nasal surgery
- UPPP
- Soft palate implants
- Hyoid advancement
- Tongue advancement
- Tongue base reduction
- Lower jaw advancement
- Tracheostomy.
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