Information on Sleep Apnoea

Information on Sleep Apnoea
Sleep Apnoea becomes more and more common in Hong Kong. It is a condition in which a person stops breathing intermittently during sleep.
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is the commonest type of Sleep Apnoea.
Central Sleep Apnoea is the failure of Central Nervous System in sending breathing signal effectively.

Dangers of Sleep Apnoea
Frequent subconscious awakenings would interfere with restful sleep which affects daytime alertness and functioning. It may impair your working performance and cause traffic accidents. The consequences of severe untreated sleep apnoea include increased risks of hypertension, heart disease and stroke. Heavy snoring may also annoy the sleeping partners. In children, it can cause growth and developmental delay, behavioural problem and heart diseases as well.

Assessment and treatment of all other sleep problems
Chronic Insomnia - may be related to psychiatric or mood disturbance (such as anxiety disorder or depression), psychophysiologic insomnia, and alcohol or drug misuse. It causes sleepless night resulting in poor concentration and disturbed emotion.
Excessive daytime sleepiness - due to breathing disorder during sleep, or the above causes of chronic insomnia; occasionally narcolepsy could be the cause. Kids would be considered as lazy and lack of concentration. Adults might be misunderstood to be late sleeping and not ambitious in work.

Sleep Study
After consultation with the specialist, the patient may have to undergo sleep study to assess one΅¦s sleeping pattern such as snoring, breathing movements, blood oxygen circulation, etc.
The following data should be studied in a sleep test:

To be interpreted and explained by a specialist.

Symptoms of Sleep Aponea
- Excessive snoring
- Interruption of breathing during sleep
- Fatigue and loss of energy
- Excessive sleepiness during daytime
- Morning headache
- Poor judgement & loss of concentration
- Irritability
- Forgetfulness
- Sexual dysfunction

VI/el/No. 60 (May-2010)