Sleep Apnoea
Why do people snore?
While you sleep, the muscles that support your airway relax. This narrowing creates resistance to airflow, causing vibration and resulting in snoring. The narrower the airway, the louder the snoring. Persistent or problematic snoring can be an early sign of sleep apnoea. A sleep study can help determine whether there is an underlying condition beyond simple snoring. Sleep apnoea is a serious health issue that requires proper assessment and treatment.
Even some children have a problem with snoring; this is not normal and should be investigated straight away.
What is Sleep Apnoea?
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is one of the most commonly diagnosed sleep disorders in Australia. It affects approximately 25% of men and 9% of women, and after menopause, women are just as likely to develop OSA as men.
A common misconception is that OSA only affects older, overweight men. This is not true, anyone can have OSA, regardless of age, gender, or body type.
OSA occurs when the upper airway collapses during sleep. As we fall asleep, our muscles naturally relax; in people with OSA, this relaxation causes airway restriction, leading to reduced oxygen levels. Breathing can pause for 10–20 seconds, or even longer than a minute, and these events may occur hundreds of times each night. This repeated disruption prevents restorative sleep and can contribute to a wide range of health concerns.
Because we are unaware of what happens while we sleep, symptoms often go unnoticed. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed below, contact us today to arrange a sleep study or consultation.
Symptoms of sleep apnoea include:
- Loud, chronic snoring
- Frequent pauses in breathing during sleep
- Gasping, snorting, or choking during sleep
- Feeling exhausted after waking
- Daytime sleepiness
- Morning headaches
- Waking up with shortness of breath, chest pains, nasal congestion, or a dry throat
- Moodiness
- Impotence
- Loss of memory
- Unexplained weight gain
Central Sleep Apnoea (CSA) is less common than OSA. It occurs when your brain forgets to tell your diaphragm muscles to breathe.
It is often associated with other conditions:
- Congestive heart failure
- Hypothyroid Disease
- Kidney failure
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Neurological diseases, such as Parkinson’s & Alzheimer’s
- Damage to the brainstem caused by encephalitis, stroke, injury, or other factors
How We Can Help
The first step is to arrange a sleep study, where your sleep patterns will be monitored to identify any underlying sleep disorders.
You can print off a referral form and then visit your doctor to have the sleep study referral completed.
Otherwise contact us for more information or to book an appointment.
A simple sleep study may change your life.
