Sleep Apnoea - The Main Causes And What Treatments Are Available

?Sleep apnoea is a common yet potentially serious sleep disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, causing the brain and the rest of the body to receive less oxygen. This can lead to a range of health problems, including high blood pressure, stroke, heart failure, and diabetes. In this article, we will discuss the main causes of sleep apnoea and the treatments that are available to help manage this condition.

The Main Causes of Sleep Apnoea

There are two main types of sleep apnoea: obstructive sleep apnoea and central sleep apnoea. Obstructive sleep apnoea is the most common type and occurs when the airway becomes blocked or collapses during sleep, causing a pause in breathing. This can be caused by various factors, including obesity, excess weight around the neck, nasal congestion, and a narrow airway. In addition, drinking alcohol, smoking, and sleeping on your back can also increase the risk of obstructive sleep apnoea.

Central sleep apnoea, on the other hand, is caused by a failure of the brain to transmit the signals that control breathing during sleep. This type of sleep apnoea is less common and is often associated with medical conditions such as heart failure, stroke, and neurological disorders.

What Treatments are Available?

In order to diagnose sleep apnoea, a polysomnography ‘sleep test’ is conducted – you are hooked up to equipment that monitors your heart, lung and brain activity, breathing patterns, arm and leg movements, and blood oxygen levels while you sleep. This is where we at Stowood specialise, having produced a number of home-based and lab-based polysomnography systems, with the aim of improving ease of diagnosis. You can read more about this here.

After diagnosis, the treatment for sleep apnoea depends on the severity of the condition and the type of sleep apnoea that is present. In some cases, lifestyle changes may be enough to alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnoea. These may include:

• Losing weight: If you are overweight or obese, losing weight may help to reduce the severity of your sleep apnoea.
• Changing your sleep position: Sleeping on your side instead of your back can help to keep your airway open.
• Avoiding alcohol and sedatives: These substances can relax the muscles in your throat and make it more likely that your airway will become blocked.
• Quitting smoking: Smoking can irritate the lining of your throat and make it more likely that your airway will become blocked.
• Improving nasal congestion: Using nasal decongestants or nasal strips can help to open up your airway and reduce the risk of sleep apnoea.

If lifestyle changes do not improve the symptoms of sleep apnoea, there are several medical treatments that may be recommended. These include:

• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP): This treatment involves wearing a mask over your nose and/or mouth during sleep. The mask is attached to a machine that delivers a constant stream of air pressure, which helps to keep your airway open.
• Oral appliances: These are devices that are worn in the mouth during sleep to help keep the airway open.
• Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be recommended to remove excess tissue from the throat or to reshape the jaw or nasal passages.

Bottom Line

Sleep apnoea is a common sleep disorder that can have serious health consequences if left untreated. The main causes of sleep apnoea include obesity, excess weight around the neck, nasal congestion, and a narrow airway. Lifestyle changes such as losing weight, changing sleep position, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, quitting smoking, and improving nasal congestion can help to alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnoea.

If lifestyle changes do not work, medical treatments such as CPAP, oral appliances, or surgery may be recommended. If you suspect that you have sleep apnoea, it is important to speak to your doctor who can recommend the best treatment options for you. Visit Stowood for more details.