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SLEEP APNOEA

Patient Information

SLEEP APNOEA

SLEEP APNOEA SYMPTOMS

Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. To be classified as an apnoea, breathing must stop for at least 10 seconds or more.

Types of Sleep Apnoea

There are three main types of sleep apnoea:

Central Sleep Apnoea: Breathing stops because the brain temporarily fails to signal the muscles to breathe. There is no effort to inhale.
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA): The most common type. The brain signals the body to breathe, but airflow is blocked—usually due to a collapse or obstruction in the throat.
Mixed Sleep Apnoea: A combination of central and obstructive events. Breathing initially stops due to lack of effort, followed by an obstruction when the effort to breathe resumes.

What is Hypopnoea?

In addition to apnoeas, some people experience hypopnoeas—partial reductions in airflow during sleep:

Obstructive Hypopnoea: Caused by a partial blockage in the airway.
Central Hypopnoea: Due to reduced effort to breathe.

These events can significantly reduce oxygen levels and disrupt sleep quality, even if breathing does not stop completely.

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)

The rest of this guide focuses on Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea-Hypopnoea (OSAH), the most common and widely diagnosed forms of sleep apnoea.

Causes of OSA/OSAH

OSA occurs when the muscles in the throat relax too much during sleep, leading to a partial or complete collapse of the airway.

Here’s how it happens:

The throat muscles that control speaking, swallowing, and breathing can lose tone during sleep.
If these muscles relax too much or the airway is naturally narrow, airflow becomes restricted.
Partial collapse results in snoring and reduced airflow, called a hypopnoea.
Complete collapse blocks airflow entirely, leading to an obstructive apnoea.

Many individuals experience a mix of both apnoeas and hypopnoeas throughout the night, disrupting sleep and reducing oxygen levels.

The most common symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea-Hypopnoea (OSAH) are:

Loud, persistent snoring
Excessive daytime sleepiness

However, many people with sleep apnoea may not recognize these symptoms—especially if they sleep alone or if sleepiness builds up gradually over time. Over time, chronic fatigue can feel “normal,” even though it may be significantly affecting overall health.

Other Common Symptoms:

Restless or disturbed sleep
Waking up gasping, choking, or feeling short of breath
Waking with chest discomfort or palpitations
Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking
Morning headaches or confusion
Difficulty concentrating, memory issues
Mood changes or irritability
Reduced libido or impotence
Frequent night-time urination (nocturia)

People with high blood pressure—especially those who are overweight—are at significantly higher risk for developing OSA.

Diagnosis

A healthcare provider may suspect sleep apnoea based on your symptoms and medical history. Some key indicators include:

Reports of choking or gasping during sleep (often observed by a bed partner)
Large neck circumference
Daytime fatigue or poor concentration without other explanation

Sleep Study (Polysomnography)

The only way to definitively diagnose sleep apnoea is through a sleep study, typically performed in a sleep lab or at home using specialised diagnostic devices.

What a Polysomnogram Measures:

Blood oxygen levels
Breathing effort and airflow
Heart rate and ECG
Sleep stages and duration
Body position and limb movement

Home Sleep Testing

At The Sleep Centre Katherine, we offer convenient at-home sleep studies using advanced devices like the SOMNOtouch. These compact, high-performance tool allow for accurate screening and diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea from the comfort of your home—ideal for both initial assessments and follow-up monitoring.

Health Risks of Untreated Sleep Apnoea

Sleep apnoea isn’t just about snoring or poor sleep—it’s a serious medical condition that can affect your health and safety.

Risks Include:

Impaired memory, focus, and decision-making
Increased risk of motor vehicle accidents due to fatigue
Higher likelihood of cardiovascular problems, including:
- High blood pressure
- Heart attack
- Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
- Stroke

These risks are thought to be linked to frequent oxygen drops and fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rate during sleep. While research is ongoing, the evidence strongly suggests that untreated OSA significantly raises the risk of long-term health complications.