Understanding Sleep Apnoea causes, symptoms and treatment options

Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder that affects millions of people worldwide and can have serious long-term health consequences. Among other things, it can trigger high blood pressure or cardiac arrhythmias. Therefore, this blog will explain how sleep apnoea manifests itself, where it comes from, how it can be diagnosed and treated. 

What is sleep apnoea?

Sleep apnoea can be translated as “cessation of breathing during sleep”. Sleep apnoea is a form of sleep-related breathing disorder in which breathing stops intermittently during sleep. This leads to a drop in the oxygen content of the blood and to an arousal reaction, the so-called arousal reaction. This acute stress reaction causes the pulse and blood pressure to rise. As a result, the patient changes position, for example, which restores breathing. If such a wake-up reaction, which the person affected usually cannot remember, occurs several times during the night, it is not without consequences. It can become a health problem in the long term and trigger diseases such as high blood pressure or other cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, the resulting chronic fatigue and lack of concentration can be accompanied by an increased risk of accidents.

Sleep apnoea syndrome – what are the different forms?

Sleep apnoea syndrome can be divided into two forms,

• obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), the far more common form of
• and central sleep apnoea (CSA), the less common form.

How do central sleep apnoea and obstructive sleep apnoea differ?

Central sleep apnoea (rarer) is caused by a dysfunction in the brain that prevents the patient from sending signals to the breathing muscles to breathe.

In obstructive sleep apnoea (more common), the airways are physically blocked, for example by the tongue falling back or slack tissue in the throat, so that you cannot breathe for a short time. This much more common form occurs more often in overweight people. It is manifested by increased and loud snoring and corresponding pauses in breathing during sleep.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnoea syndrome?

Typical symptoms of sleep apnoea include

• Daytime sleepiness,
• Irritability,
• Palpitations,
• Shortness of breath on waking,
• Dry mouth and increased headaches in the morning,
• Potency problems in men,
• Cravings
• or even concentration difficulties.

How is sleep apnoea syndrome diagnosed?

In an anamnesis interview, the sleeping habits are discussed and, if necessary, supplemented by external anamnesis (reports from the partner regarding snoring or breathing stops). Then the diagnosis follows a step-by-step scheme:

Polygraphy / Sleep Apnoea Screening – Diagnostic Level I

Sleep apnoea screening is first carried out using a polygraph machine. This is a small device that is worn in your home during your sleep and measures your respiratory flow, oxygen saturation, pulse and breathing-related chest and abdominal movements. From this, breathing cessations can be made visible and measurable. The results are then evaluated in the practice.