Overview
Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions of breathing during sleep, leading to poor sleep quality and daytime fatigue.
Symptoms
Loud snoring Episodes of stopped breathing during sleep Gasping or choking during sleep Excessive daytime sleepiness Morning headaches and difficulty concentrating
Causes
Obstructive sleep apnoea: blockage of the airway, often due to excess tissue or obesity Central sleep apnoea: the brain fails to send proper signals to breathing muscles Mixed sleep apnoea: combination of obstructive and central types Risk factors include age, obesity, large neck circumference, and alcohol or sedative use
Diagnosis
Sleep study (polysomnography) to monitor breathing and sleep patterns Home sleep tests for simpler evaluation Medical history and physical examination
Treatment
Lifestyle changes: weight loss, avoiding alcohol and sedatives Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy Oral appliances to keep the airway open Surgery in selected cases to remove airway obstructions Positional therapy to avoid sleeping on the back