Can snoring really be dangerous?
Snoring itself is not an illness, but it can be a potential problem, especially if it disturbs other people’s sleep. The snorer may be the target of irritation or anger, may even strain household or marriage relationships.
Snoring if associated with symptoms of tiredness, poor concentration, daytime sleepiness, choking sensation at night, may be a sign of a potential serious medical problem – Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA).
I’ve heard of Obtructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). What is it?
OSA is a disorder that is characterized by repetitive episodes of airway obstruction that occur during sleep, and usually associated with snoring and reduction in blood oxygen saturation. Apnoea is defined as an absence of airflow for 10 seconds or longer.
Severity of OSA is measured in terms of the number of apnoeic episodes per hour over a night’s sleep. A “normal” Apnoea – Hypopnoea Index (AHI) is generally considered to be less than 5. Some patients with severe OSA, eg AHI > 40, can stop breathing as often as once ever minute, over the night’s rest.
Are there any other diseases associated with OSA?
Some associated diseases include:
- Obesity
- Hypertension
- Ischaemic Heart Disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes Mellitus
What would suggest I have OSA?
Symptoms can be classified to those you experience during the day and those that you experience at night.
DAY:
- Daytime sleepiness, tiredness
- Poor concentration
- Poor memory
- Morning headaches
- Mood changes
- Irritability
NIGHT:
- Choking sensation at night
- Gasping for air at night
- Frequent arousals from sleep
- Nocturia (frequent passing of urine)
- Mood changes
- Loud snoring
What will by doctor do to help me?
After a thorough clinical examination, your doctor may suggest a flexible nasoendoscopy as well as an overnight sleep study (polysomnogram).
After obtaining the results from these tests and in discussion with you, he may present options such as:
- Oral appliances worn while sleeping to prevent the airway from collapsing
- Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) which is a mask you wear while you sleep
- Surgical treatment. There are several different procedures effective in certain subset of patients.
Is there anything I can do to help myself?
Yes! These are lifestyle modifications that will help to reduce your risk of OSA and include:
- Losing weight
- Sleeping on your side
- Avoiding alcohol, sedatives
- Avoiding smoking
- Avoid being sleep deprived
- Regular exercise