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What is obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)?OSA is a medical condition where snoring is associated with restriction in the amount of airflow when we are asleep. Specialists describe 2 types of blockage:
The periods of complete blockage are called apnoeas (pronounced ap-knee-a) and the episodes of reduced air flow are called hypopneas (hi-pop-knee-a). Whilst a complete apnoea is worse than a partial hypopnea, both are abnormal breathing patterns. What makes sleep apnoea dangerous?When we try to breath but can't, we do not getting enough oxygen in our lungs. The low oxygen level means that our heart needs to work harder, placing a strain on it. The low oxygen levels also set off an alarm in our brain with the natural response being to panic (just like you would if someone was really trying to choke you). This panic response results in our blood pressure rising and the heart being told to work even harder. This panic response also disturbs your sleeping pattern- it is almost the equivalent of being woken up every couple of minutes- no wonder people get grumpy! The combination of low oxygen, elevated blood pressure and a message from the brain telling our heart to pump harder and faster all places a strain on our heart. We now know that OSA is bad for the heart just like smoking and high cholesterol is. The strain on the heart is worse if you are overweight or obese because it has to work harder all the time. OSA puts you at higher risk for strokes, mood disorders and mental illness, developing reflux disease (where the stomach acid comes up and burns your throat) and impotence. Like snoring, it may place intimate relationships at risk, result in alternative sleeping arrangements and lead to couples breaking up. Lastly, patients with OSA are between 2-6 times more likely to have a car accident. This is greater than the risk of being a drunk driver. People with sleep apnoea are also twice as likely to have a workplace accident. Are there other conditions associated with obstructive sleep apnoea?
....and many others... How common is it and how do I know if I have it?It is estimated that about 25% of men and 10% of women have OSA. This is based on a survey which is now over 15 years old. With obesity becoming an significant problem in Australia, it is estimated that these figures can possibly as much as double what they were 15 years ago. This is a very scary statistic. One of the problems with OSA though, is knowing that you have it. It is estimated that less than 10% of those with OSA are actually diagnosed. The following are some symptoms which are related to OSA.
What are the risk factors for having OSA?
....and there many others... What tests are available?This is discussed on the Sleep Study Page. |
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