Ask yourself these questions:
– Is snoring a problem for you or your partner?
– Do you wake up not feeling refreshed?
– Are you sleepy or tired during the day?
– Has anyone heard you gasp or stop breathing while sleeping?
These are some of the common signs of sleep apnoea!
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a condition where, during sleep, the airway closes either partially or completely, causing you to stop breathing for a period of time ranging from a moment, to seconds, to minutes. When this happens, your brain wakes you up just enough to tense the airway muscles to allow you to breathe again. This can happen many times through the night. Many are not conscious of it and wake up without any recollection of these ‘arousals’.
Looking at the diagram below, we can see the difference between an open airway and an airway blocked during sleep.
Snoring
Did you know that around 40% of the population snores? Snoring is usually a sign of airway obstruction. It can be quite disruptive and a nuisance to your partner. Snoring is often associated with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.
Can I have sleep apnoea even though I don’t snore? Yes, some people aren’t aware of any snoring or issues sleeping but can have the symptoms of sleep apnoea and benefit greatly from treating it!
Keep an eye out for our next blog where we will discuss why it is important to diagnose and how do we treat sleep apnoea.
