Sleep Apnoea: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

Written by Medicover Team and Medically Reviewed by Dr Alla Bhagyaraj , Pulmonologists

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1. Causes 2. Find a Doctor 3. Diagnosis 4. Treatment 5. FAQs

Sleep apnea is a condition where a person's breathing stops and starts repeatedly during sleep. This interruption in breathing can lead to reduced oxygen levels in the body, affecting overall well-being. The primary impact of sleep apnea on health is disrupted sleep patterns and decreased quality of rest, which can lead to daytime fatigue and other health issues over time.

What are the Types of Sleep Apnoea?

Sleep apnea comes in different forms, each characterized by the way breathing pauses during sleep. These types vary in causes, symptoms, and severity, impacting individuals differently. Understanding the distinctions between these forms is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA): The most common type, occurs when the throat muscles relax during sleep, blocking the airway intermittently.
Central Sleep Apnoea: In this type, the brain fails to send signals to the muscles that control breathing, leading to pauses in breathing during sleep.
Mixed Sleep Apnoea: Combines features of both obstructive and central sleep apnoea, where airway obstructions and lack of respiratory effort contribute to breathing interruptions.
Complex Sleep Apnoea Syndrome: Also known as treatmentemergent central sleep apnoea, this type involves recurrent central apnoeas despite the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.
Positional Sleep Apnoea: Characterized by breathing pauses that predominantly occur when sleeping in certain positions, often alleviated by changing sleep posture.

What are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnoea?

Sleep apnea typically presents with several common symptoms that affect sleep quality and overall well-being. These symptoms often include disruptions in breathing during sleep, excessive daytime fatigue, loud snoring, and frequent awakenings throughout the night.

Additionally, individuals with sleep apnea may experience morning headaches, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and dry mouth upon waking up. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health complications, making it essential to seek medical evaluation and appropriate management.

Loud snoring
Pauses in breathing during sleep
Gasping or choking sensations
Waking up frequently during the night
Daytime sleepiness
Morning headaches
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability or mood changes
Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
Insomnia

What are the Causes of Sleep Apnoea?

Sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the throat relax too much during sleep, causing the airway to become blocked. This obstruction leads to breathing pauses or shallow breaths, disrupting normal breathing patterns.

Factors such as obesity, anatomical abnormalities, aging, and family history can contribute to the development of sleep apnea. Additionally, lifestyle factors like smoking, alcohol consumption, and sedative use can increase the risk of experiencing this condition. Ultimately, sleep apnea can have various causes, all of which affect the proper functioning of the respiratory system during sleep.

Obesity
Age
Smoking
Alcohol consumption
Nasal congestion
Genetics
Neck circumference
Gender differences
Medications
Anatomical factors

When to See a Doctor for Sleep Apnoea?

Loud snoring, daytime sleepiness, witnessed breathing pauses, or difficulty staying awake during daily activities should be evaluated by a Pulmonologist or Sleep Medicine Specialist. Early diagnosis can help prevent serious cardiovascular and metabolic complications.

You should see a doctor if you have:

Frequent loud snoring
Excessive daytime fatigue
Morning headaches or poor concentration

Get medical help immediately if:

Repeated choking or gasping during sleep
Severe breathing difficulties at night
Extreme daytime sleepiness causing safety concerns

These could be signs of a serious complication like Sleep Apnoea, which needs urgent care.

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How is Sleep Apnoea Diagnosed?

Sleep Apnoea is typically diagnosed through various assessments that evaluate a person's sleep patterns and breathing during sleep. These assessments help healthcare providers determine if an individual has Sleep Apnoea and its severity. The diagnostic process may involve monitoring breathing, sleep stages, and oxygen levels during sleep.

Additionally, clinical evaluations and patient history are considered to reach an accurate diagnosis. A healthcare provider may recommend further tests for a comprehensive assessment if Sleep Apnoea is suspected.

Polysomnography
Home Sleep Apnea Testing
Epworth Sleepiness Scale
Physical Examination
Imaging Studies (e. g.
Blood Tests( CT scan, MRI)

What are the Treatment for Sleep Apnoea?

Treatment options for sleep apnoea may include lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and avoiding alcohol before bedtime. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is a common treatment method that involves wearing a mask during sleep.

Oral appliances and surgery may also be recommended in certain cases. It is important to consult a healthcare provider to determine the most suitable treatment plan for individual needs.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy: CPAP therapy involves wearing a mask that delivers pressurized air to keep the airways open during sleep, effectively treating sleep apnea.
Oral Appliance Therapy: Oral appliances are custommade devices worn during sleep to reposition the jaw and tongue, helping to keep the airway open and reduce apnea episodes.
Lifestyle Changes: Weight loss, regular exercise, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, and sleeping on your side can help improve sleep apnea symptoms by reducing airway obstruction.
Surgery: In severe cases or when other treatments fail, surgical options such as uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) or maxillomandibular advancement may be considered to alleviate sleep apnea.
Positional Therapy: Positional therapy involves using devices or techniques to encourage individuals to sleep on their side rather than their back, which can help prevent airway collapse during sleep.

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What are the Risk Factors for Sleep Apnoea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder with various risk factors that can contribute to its development. These risk factors can increase the likelihood of experiencing sleep apnea symptoms. Understanding these risk factors can help individuals identify potential concerns and seek appropriate medical advice for diagnosis and treatment.

Obesity
Age
Male gender
Family history of sleep apnoea
Smoking
Alcohol consumption
Nasal congestion
Enlarged tonsils or adenoids hypertrophy
Use of sedatives or tranquilizers
Neck circumference

What is the Recovery Process for Sleep Apnoea?

Recovery from Sleep Apnoea depends on the severity of the condition and adherence to treatment. Many individuals experience significant improvement in sleep quality, energy levels, and overall health once effective treatment is initiated.

Ongoing monitoring and lifestyle changes are important for maintaining long-term control and preventing complications.

Recovery Includes

Regular use of prescribed CPAP or other therapies
Weight management and healthy lifestyle habits
Routine follow-up with sleep specialists
Monitoring for symptom improvement
Management of associated health conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the common symptoms of sleep apnoea?

Common symptoms include loud snoring, daytime fatigue, morning headaches, and pauses in breathing during sleep.

2. How is sleep apnoea diagnosed?

Sleep apnoea is typically diagnosed through a sleep study (polysomnography) conducted in a sleep clinic or at home using portable monitoring devices.

3. What are the treatment options for sleep apnoea?

Treatment options include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances, lifestyle changes, and in some cases, surgery.

4. Can untreated sleep apnoea lead to complications?

Yes, untreated sleep apnoea can lead to serious health complications such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and increased risk of accidents due to daytime drowsiness.

5. Are there risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing sleep apnoea?

Risk factors for sleep apnoea include obesity, aging, being male, having a family history of the condition, smoking, and certain anatomical factors like a narrow airway or enlarged tonsils.