Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
Obstructive sleep apnoea is a potentially serious sleep disorder that causes breathing to repeatedly stop and restart during sleep. This type of apnoea occurs when the throat muscles intermittently relax during sleep and block the airway. A noticeable sign of obstructive sleep apnoea is snoring. Surgery is an option for patients who have severe symptoms and are incapacitated in day-to-day activities.
Signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnoea:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Loud snoring
- Observed episodes of breathing cessation during sleep
- Abrupt awakenings accompanied by gasping or choking
- Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat
- Morning headache
- Difficulty concentrating during the day
When to see a doctor?
- Snoring loud enough to disturb your sleep or that of others
- Waking up gasping or choking especially at nights
- Intermittent pauses in your breathing during sleep
- Falling asleep while working, watching television, driving a vehicle
