What We’ll Cover

• What is sleep apnoea, and how can it affect your health?
• How sleep apnoea is assessed and diagnosed.
• Treatment options and lifestyle changes to help manage it.

What is sleep apnoea?

At Roczen, we screen all patients for a condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). If you're reading this, you may have been flagged as at risk. OSA happens when your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Over time, this can greatly impact your health and body weight.

Common signs of OSA include:

• Loud snoring.
• Pausing or gasping for air during sleep.
• Feeling very tired during the day, even after a full night’s sleep.

These symptoms are caused by blocked airflow. This often happens because the muscles in your throat relax too much during sleep, stopping air from moving freely.

How can OSA affect your health?

OSA doesn’t just disturb your sleep. If left untreated, it can lead to serious health problems, such as:

• Heart issues, like high blood pressure.
• Problems with metabolism, which can affect your weight.
• Difficulty concentrating and remembering things.
• Feeling low or anxious.
• A lower quality of life overall.

This is why identifying and managing OSA early is so important. At Roczen, we take this seriously to help improve your long-term health.

How is sleep apnoea assessed?

If our screening shows you might be at risk, your Roczen clinician will ask for your consent to contact your GP. Your GP will then decide whether you need a referral to a sleep clinic.

At a sleep clinic, you may be given a device to wear overnight at home (or sometimes in the clinic). This device measures:

• Your breathing patterns.
• Your heart rate while you sleep.

The results will show if you have sleep apnoea and how severe it is.

What are the treatment options?

If you are diagnosed with OSA, the main treatment is a CPAP machine (continuous positive airway pressure). This machine keeps your airways open by delivering a gentle flow of air through a mask worn over your nose or mouth.

The benefits of CPAP include:

• Easier breathing during sleep.
• Better sleep quality and feeling more awake during the day.
• Lower risk of health problems linked to OSA, like high blood pressure.

Can lifestyle changes help?

Lifestyle changes can make a big difference in managing OSA. Here’s how:

• Weight loss: Losing weight can ease pressure on your airway and reduce OSA severity.
• Staying active: Regular movement helps with weight loss, strengthens breathing muscles, and improves sleep quality.
• Avoiding alcohol and improving sleep habits: Alcohol can relax throat muscles, worsening OSA. Practising good sleep hygiene can also help.

Summary

Sleep apnoea is a condition that causes repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep, often due to relaxed throat muscles blocking the airway. Left untreated, it can lead to serious health problems, including heart issues, metabolic imbalances, and fatigue. However, treatments like CPAP machines and lifestyle changes such as weight loss, regular activity, and good sleep habits can significantly improve breathing, sleep quality, and overall health. Early detection and proper care are essential for managing sleep apnoea and improving both your short- and long-term well-being.