What is sleep apnoea?

Sleep apnoea, or obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is on the rise in the Australian population, however many go undiagnosed and untreated
It characterised by repeated episodes of obstruction of the throat during sleep and is usually associated with loud snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness.
Sleep apnoea can lead to the development of hypertension and insulin resistance, and is associated with heart attack, increased blood pressure,  stroke and Type 2 Diabetes. There is also an increased risk of motor vehicles and work place accidents

Symptoms of sleep apnoea

  • Snoring
  • Episodes of gasping, snorting or choking during sleep
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue or lethargy
  • Lack of energy
  • Daytime tiredness/ needing to have a nap
  • Disturbed or restless sleep (OSA sometimes causes insomnia)
  • Poor memory and concentration
  • Morning headaches
  • Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
  • Grinding
  • Irritability, depression, anxiety, mood and behaviour changes (including ADHD in children)
  • Increased frequency of urination during the night
  • Rapid weight gain or difficulty in losing weight
In Children
  • Behavourial changes - aggression
  • Difficulty at school
  • Sleep walking
  • Bed wetting
  • Nightmares and night terrors

Treatment options

Sleep apnoea can be a symptom of an underlying issue, therefore treatment options should be individualised and based on possible causes. 
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Most common treatment options include lifestyle changes such as weight loss and reducing alcohol consumption, cessation of smoking, adjusting sleep habits.
​Treatment for OSA may involve Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment, an oral appliance, surgery (in selected patients), or other medical therapies; these are used to improve nasal air-flow.
Investigation into the anatomy of the upper airway should also be considered for any nasal airways issues, tonsils & adenoids enlargement and allergies.
For more information about sleep apnoea, visit:
https://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/obstructive-sleep-apnea.html
http://snoreaustralia.com.au/obstructive-sleep-apnoea.php​