Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)
Can cause daytime sleepiness, snoring, depression, difficulties with concentration, put stress on personal relationships and cause a loss of memory.
Sleep Apnoea means that the soft tissues in the throat, including the tongue, collapse and are sucked against the back of the throat. This blocks the upper airway and airflow stops, or is greatly reduced.
When the blood oxygen level becomes low enough the brain sends a signal known as an arousal and the sleeper partially awakens, the obstruction in the throat clears and the flow of air starts again, usually with a gasp. Most people don’t even know this is happening.
This cycle starts soon after falling asleep. Snoring follows a pattern, often becoming louder, and can be interrupted by a long silent period where it seems like little or no snoring is taking place (Apnoea).
At this stage a loud snort or gasp will normally take place and the snoring returns to its regular pace, this cycle of behavior continues to occur throughout the night which results in a terrible night’s sleep for the snorer and for their partner.
Sleep Apnoea affects society in all types of ways, from a lack of productivity in the work place to relationship breakdown and even death caused by falling asleep at inappropriate times.