Consult us if you have loud snoring, disturbed sleep or obstructive sleep apnoea. Sleep apnoea is a condition in which airflow is interrupted or obstructed intermittently while you sleep, often causing loud snoring, choking, gasping and resultant daytime sleepiness. The most common form is obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). During sleep, the muscles of the upper airway, including the tongue, relax and collapse. This interrupts airflow and may briefly wake the individual from sleep (micro-arousal).
How does snoring differ from obstructive sleep apnoea?
Snoring is caused by an obstruction at one or more levels of your nose and throat. The obstruction causes soft tissues (such as the soft palate, uvula or tongue) to vibrate. Oxygen levels and breathing patterns remain normal throughout the night. While snoring can cause social disruption, it usually has no related health problems.
Obstructive sleep apnoea is when an individual has repetitive airflow interruptions while asleep, which can cause oxygen levels to drop. During sleep, the muscles of the upper airway relax and the airway collapses. While asleep, a person with OSA may gasp, choke, or stop breathing for short periods. OSA can have serious health repercussions, including daytime sleepiness, waking unrefreshed, and cardiovascular events such as heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke.
What causes sleep apnoea?
There are various causes of sleep apnoea, including:
- Anatomical factors such as large tonsils, bulky tongue tissue, a small jaw or reduced muscle tone in the upper airway
- Obesity
- Excessive use of sedatives, including prescription medication and alcohol
- Sleeping on your back
How do I know if I have sleep apnoea?
As most symptoms occur while asleep, a family member or partner is often the first to notice and alert you to a possible issue. Associated symptoms include:
Night-time:
- Loud snoring
- Episodes of gasping or choking for air
- Multiple wakings at night
- Frequent trips to the bathroom
Day-time:
- Waking feeling unrefreshed
- Headache upon waking
- Sleepiness during the day
- Episodes of falling asleep easily or at inappropriate times
- Regularly needing to nap
Sleep studies
To determine whether you have sleep apnoea, you must undergo a sleep study. This involves specialised monitoring to diagnose factors such as your airflow patterns, heart rate and oxygen levels. Some individuals stay overnight at a sleep lab; there are also options to perform these studies in your own home, some even utilising smart-watch technology with no cables.
Patients can be referred by their GP or their ENT specialist for a sleep study. Medicare rebates are available for individuals who meet certain criteria. Dr Padhye can explain these details to you during your initial consultation.
When to see an ENT surgeon
If you or your partner notice signs of sleep apnoea, such as loud snoring, gasping, choking, or daytime sleepiness despite a full night in bed, see your GP first. They may arrange a sleep study or refer you to an ENT specialist for assessment. If a diagnosis of sleep apnoea is confirmed, Dr Padhye can talk you through the available treatment options. See Sleep Apnoea Treatments.
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnoea is caused by repetitive narrowing or collapse of the upper airway during sleep. Nasal obstruction, enlarged tonsils, jaw structure and weight all play a role.
Left untreated, it’s associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes and an increased risk of daytime accidents.
