Obstructive sleep apnoea in adults is defined as a ten-second breathing pause, occurring more than five times per hour of sleep. It is due to obstructed upper airway. Because of the bodies' protective mechanism, which senses the resultant lack of oxygen, the sufferer awakens and takes a deep breath before once again falling asleep. This sequence of interrupted breathing and sleep disturbance, can develop into a cyclical pattern.
Dangers of Sleep Apnea
- Disrupt the sleep of family members
- Affect daytime alertness and functioning, and sleepiness-related vehicle accidents
- Increase the risks of hypertension, heart disease and stroke because of oxygen deficiency during sleep
- Increase the risks of sudden death from an irregular heartbeat
Symptoms
- Excessive Snoring
- Stop breathing temporarily and repeatedly during sleep, each episode lasting from 10 seconds to few minutes
- Gasping for air during sleep / Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Abrupt awakenings accompanied by gasping or choking
- Morning headache
- Poor judgment and loss of concentration
- Forgetfulness
- Irritability
- Sexual dysfunction
Treatments of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
(1) Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
(2) Dental Appliance
(3) Minimally-invasive Radiofrequency Ablation
(4) Surgical procedures for the correction of structural deformities such as jaw osteotomy
(5) Transoral robotic surgery
Self Assessment Questionnaire
Otorhinolaryngology
