Episodes of partial or complete airway occlusion during sleep. The obstruction can lead to poor quality sleep and leave the patient feeling fatigued in the morning despite thinking they got a good nights rest
Causes/Factors
- Excess weight
- Neck circumference
- Age - more common in older people
- Smoking
- FH being male
- Drinking alcohol, taking sedatives before sleep
Symptoms
- Loud Snoring: Often the primary symptom.
- Witnessed Pauses in Breathing: Reported by a bed partner.
- Excessive Daytime Sleepiness: Feeling tired or sleepy during the day.
- Morning Headaches: Due to disrupted sleep.
- Difficulty Concentrating: Impaired cognitive function.
- Irritability: Mood changes due to poor sleep quality.
Signs
- Apneas: Brief pauses in breathing during sleep.
- Snorting or Gasping: Sudden, loud sounds as breathing resumes after an apnea.
- Restless Sleep: Frequent movements during sleep.
Diagnostic Tests
- Polysomnography (Sleep Study): Overnight monitoring of various physiological parameters during sleep.
- Home Sleep Apnea Testing (HSAT): Portable devices for home use to assess breathing during sleep.
- Epworth Sleepiness Scale: A questionnaire to assess daytime sleepiness. Out of 21
Management
- CPAP machine - continuous positive airway pressure to keep airway open
- BiPAP - delivers varying levels of pressure
- Oral devices to keep the tongue out of way - might not be able to tolerate it
- Life style changes - reduce weight, change sleeping position