Sleep, an activity essential for our overall health and well-being, can sometimes be undermined by various sleep disorders. One of the most common and potentially serious sleep disorders is “Sleep Apnoea”.
Sleep apnoea
Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder characterised by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. These pauses in breathing, also called apnoea (a=no, pnoea=breath), can last from a few seconds to several minutes and occur repeatedly throughout the night. The most common form of sleep apnoea is obesity-related sleep apnoea, also known as obstructive sleep apnoea.
There are different types of sleep apnoea: obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), central sleep apnoea (CSA) and complex sleep apnoea (CompSA).
In obstructive sleep apnoea, the pause in breathing is caused by the blockage (obstruction) of the nasal and pharyngeal passages. During this pause in breathing, the chest and abdominal breathing movements continue normally.
Symptoms
- Daytime sleepiness or concentration difficulties
- Morning headaches
- ’Having to get out of bed several times during the night to pass water.
- Loud interrupted snoring
- Character changes
- Sexual problems
- Possibly even High blood pressure and heart rhythm disturbances, which had previously been unexplained.
In the case of central sleep apnoea, the stimulation to breathe from the brain disappears for a short period. No breathing movements occur during this time.
A mixed sleep apnoea starts as a central apnoea and develops into an obstructive apnoea.
Hypopnoea is characterised by a significant reduction in the volume of air inhaled (by at least 50%), without a complete cessation of breathing.
De consequenties van slaapapneu kunnen variëren van mild tot ernstig en kunnen zowel lichamelijke als geestelijke gezondheidsproblemen veroorzaken. Enkele veelvoorkomende consequenties zijn: * **Vermoeidheid en slaperigheid overdag:** Dit is het meest duidelijke symptoom, wat kan leiden tot concentratieproblemen, verminderde prestaties op werk of school, en een verhoogd risico op ongelukken (bijvoorbeeld in het verkeer). * **Cardiovasculaire problemen:** Slaapapneu verhoogt het risico op: * Hoge bloeddruk (hypertensie) * Hartaanvallen * Beroertes * Hartritmestoornissen (zoals boezemfibrilleren) * Hartfalen * **Metabolische problemen:** * Insulineresistentie en een verhoogd risico op diabetes type 2 * Gewichtstoename * **Verbeterd risico op ongevallen:** Door vermoeidheid en verminderde alertheid. * **Geestelijke gezondheidsproblemen:** * Depressie * Angststoornissen * Prikkelbaarheid * Geheugenproblemen * **Andere problemen:** * Droge mond of keelpijn bij het ontwaken * Hoofdpijn bij het ontwaken * Verminderd libido * Impotentie bij mannen * Verhoogd risico op complicaties tijdens en na operaties Onbehandelde slaapapneu kan leiden tot een aanzienlijke vermindering van de levenskwaliteit en een verkorting van de levensverwachting. Het is daarom belangrijk om symptomen te herkennen en medische hulp te zoeken.
The consequences of sleep apnoea can have a significant impact on various aspects of health. During sleep, sleep apnoea leads to reduced oxygen levels in the blood, which can result in fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rhythm. It also disrupts normal sleep patterns, manifesting as feelings of sleepiness during the day. This fatigue can, in turn, lead to concentration difficulties and memory problems. Furthermore, irritability and moodiness can occur, affecting overall quality of life. Additionally, sleep apnoea-related disruptions in hormonal balance can bring about further complications. Understanding these consequences highlights the importance of timely diagnosis and effective treatment to reduce the negative impact of sleep apnoea on health.
Is sleep apnoea dangerous?
If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnoea, you are in an increased risk group for cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, heart attack, heart rhythm disorders and strokes. In addition, there is a significantly increased risk of work-related and traffic accidents due to sleepiness and concentration disorders.
Sleep apnoea: Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnose: A thorough diagnosis is essential. A sleep study, carried out in a sleep laboratory or with portable devices at home, can determine the severity of sleep apnoea.
Lifestyle adjustments In mild cases, lifestyle changes such as weight loss, reduced alcohol intake, and smoking cessation can improve symptoms.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure A common treatment involves the use of a CPAP machine. This machine delivers pressurised air through a mask to keep the airways open during sleep.
Surgical options For certain cases, surgical interventions may be considered to correct structural problems in the airways.
Moon device Specialised intraoral devices can be prescribed to regulate the position of the jaw and tongue and keep the airways open.
Discover more about sleep apnoea and find valuable information on the website of the Apnoea Association.
Sleep apnoea specialist at Mediport Medical Centre Cadix
Coming soon, there will be a new sleep apnoea specialist at Mediport to get started. You can already Contact call the centre for more information and to appointment to make.
