About 40% of people who snore have a disorder known as obstructive sleep apnoea.
95% of these individuals are unaware they have this condition.

Obstructive Sleep apnoea occurs in two stages during sleep:

Firstly, the muscles of the tongue and throat relax and lose their tension.
These muscles are then sucked against the back of the throat, obstructing the airway.

When this obstruction occurs (apnoea), breathing stops for a period of time (generally between a few seconds and up to one minute) until the brain registers the lack of breathing or a drop in oxygen levels and sends a small wake-up call. The sleeper rouses slightly, opens the upper airway, typically snorts and gasps, then drifts back to sleep almost immediately. In most cases, the person suffering from sleep apnoea doesn’t even realise they are waking up. This pattern can repeat itself hundreds of times over every night, causing fragmented sleep.

This leaves the person with unrefreshed sleep, excessive day time sleepiness and fatigue.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnoea

People with significant sleep apnoea have an increased risk of motor vehicle accidents and hypertension and may have an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. In the over-30 years age group, the disorder is about three times more common in men than women.

Some of the associated symptoms include:

• Daytime sleepiness, fatigue and tiredness
• Loud snoring
• Poor concentration
• Morning headaches
• Poor judgement
• Personality changes
• Irritability and mood changes
• Impotence and reduced sex drive

Diagnosis of Sleep Apnoea

The presence of significant sleep apnoea may be strongly suspected from the history. Often the patient’s partner has read an article about sleep apnoea and recognises that this must be what their partner has.

Once sleep apnoea is suspected then a sleep study is done to confirm the diagnosis.

A variety of signals can be measured during sleep, without having to use any painful needles or devices.

Immediate Assistants can provide a comprehensive Sleep Apnoea programme allowing for:

• Sleep Apnoea Education
• Screening of personnel
  (Berlin Sleep Study)
• Onsite Sleep Study
• Analysis of Sleep Study
• Discussion with worker
• Referral and treatment