Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Question 1

What is obstructive sleep apnoea?

Answer 1

A condition in which sufferers experience multiple pauses in respiration during sleep, resulting from upper airway collapse (usually at the oropharynx).

Question 2

What are common factors implicated in obstructive sleep apnoea?

Answer 2

Obesity
Enlarged tonsils/adenoids
Acromegaly
Drugs (depressants)
Alcohol

Question 3

What wakes the patient during an apnoeic episode?

Answer 3

The combination of central hypoxic stimulation, and the increased respiratory effort needed to overcome the obstruction.

Question 4

What impact does OSA have on quality of sleep?

Answer 4

Patients may be unaware, but awakens them hundreds of times per night, leading to sleep deprivation. A consequence of this is daytime sleepiness, and impaired intellectual performance.

Question 5

How does OSA present?

Answer 5

Excessive daytime sleepiness
Loud snoring
Feeling unrefreshed after sleep

Question 6

How is obstructive sleep apnoea investigated?

Answer 6

Overnight polysomnography - gold standard.

Question 7

How is OSA treated?

Answer 7

Advise on weight loss, reduced alcohol intake.

In those with daytime sleepiness, suggest CPAP therapy. Some may need surgery.

Question 8

What is CPAP therapy?

Answer 8

A treatment used in OSA, which delivers constant pressure above that of the atmosphere, to maintain patency in the airway during sleep.