SLEEP APNOEA' BREATHING STOPS AND RESTARTS WHILE SLEEPING.


Sleep apnoea


Sleep apnoea is defined as  when your breathing stops and starts while you sleep. The most common type is called obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
Symptoms of sleep apnoea mainly happen  during you sleep and go to sleep often while working.
They include:
  • breathing stopping and starting
  • making gasping, snoring or choking noises
  • waking up a lot
  • loud snoring
  • During the day, you may also:
  • feel very tired
  • find it hard to concentrate
  • have mood swings
  • have a headache when you wake up
Information:
It can be hard to tell if you have sleep apnoea. It may help to ask someone to stay with you while you sleep so they can check for the symptoms.
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:
You have any of the main symptoms of sleep apnoea:

  • your breathing stops and starts while you sleep
  • you make gasping, snorting or choking noises while you sleep
  • you always feel very tired during the day
  • If someone else has seen you have the symptoms, it can help to bring them with you.
  • Sleep apnoea can be serious if it's not diagnosed
  • Getting tested for sleep apnoea
If a GP thinks patient might have sleep apnoea, they may refer him to a specialist sleep clinic for tests.
At the clinic, patient may be given devices that check things like your breathing and heartbeat while you sleep.
Patient 'll be asked to wear these overnight so doctors can check for signs of sleep apnoea.
Patient can usually do this at home, but sometimes you may need to stay in the clinic overnight.
The test can show if patient  have sleep apnoea and how severe it is. This is based on how often breathing stops while sleeping.
CPAP machine

               
A CPAP machine gently pumps air into a mask, it should wear over the mouth or nose while  sleeping. It can help:
improve  breathing while sleeping  by stopping airways getting too narrow
improve the quality of sleep and help feel less tired
reduce the risk of problems linked to sleep apnoea (like high blood pressure)
Using a CPAP machine may feel strange or awkward at first, but try to keep using it. It works best when use it every night.
Other treatments: Less common treatments for sleep apnoea include:



                       Serenity Bruxism Night Sleep Aid Mouthpiece Boil and Bite Guard



a gum shield-like device that holds airways open while  sleeping (mandibular advancement device)
surgery to help breathing, such as removing large tonsils.
Things that can do to help with sleep apnoea
If patient have been diagnosed with sleep apnoea, there are some things it can do to help.
These could be done if sleep apnoea is mild.
Do try to lose weight if patient is overweight
sleep on your side – try taping a tennis ball to the back of your sleepwear, or buy a special pillow or bed wedge to help keep you on your side
Don't
do not smoke
do not drink too much alcohol – especially shortly before going to sleep
do not take sleeping pills unless recommended by a doctor.
Sleep apnoea can cause other problems
Without treatment, sleep apnoea can lead to:

  • high blood pressure
  • a higher chance of having a stroke
  • depression or changes in your mood
  • a higher chance of having a serious accident caused by tiredness, such as a car accident
  • difficulty concentrating at work or school
Causes of sleep apnoea
Sleep apnoea happens if  airways become too narrow while sleeping. This stops  breathing properly.
Sleep apnoea has been linked to:

  • obesity
  • having a large neck
  • getting older – although children and young adults can also get it
  • having other family members with sleep apnoea
  • smoking and drinking alcohol
  • having large tonsils or adenoids
  • sleeping on your back.

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