Causes and risk factors of sleep apnoea
- Obesity (the heavier a person gets, the greater the risk of OSA)
- Snoring
- Family history of OSA or snoring
- Small upper airway (large tongue, large uvula, recessed chin, excess tissue in the throat and/or soft palate)
- Shape of head and neck may create a smaller than normal airway
- Large tonsils or adenoids or other anatomical differences. (A deviated septum, enlarged tongue, or receding chin can also create difficulties breathing during sleep)
- Throat muscles and tongue relax more than normal during sleep. (This can be due to alcohol or sedative use before bedtime, but not necessarily)
- Snoring - Snoring can cause the soft palate to lengthen, which in turn can obstruct the airway
- Smoking or exposure to second hand smoke
- Nasal congestion, nasal blockages, and nasal irritants
- Family history of sleep apnoea - No specific genetic marker for sleep apnoea has been discovered, but obstructive sleep apnoea seems to run in families. This may be a result of anatomic abnormalities that run in the family
- Other disorders/syndromes - Hypothyroidism, acromegaly, amyloidosis, vocal cord paralysis, post-polio syndrome, neuromuscular disorders, Marfan's syndrome, Down's Syndrome
- Other physical conditions i.e. immune system abnormalities, severe heartburn or acid reflux, high blood pressure. It isn’t clear whether these conditions are the cause or the result of OSA
Symptoms
- Do you sleep poorly?
- Do you wake feeling tired?
- Are you sleepy during the day?
- Do you snore?
- Do you wake with headaches?
If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, you may be affected.
Test yourself - if you think you have sleep apnoea. This quick test does not diagnose, but it can give you a good indication and some information to take with you on your next doctor's visit.
Sleep Study
If your doctor suspects you have sleep apnoea, they will probably request a diagnostic evaluation of your sleep, also known as a sleep study.
A sleep study helps doctors assess whether or not someone has a sleep disorder. Different types of equipment are used to diagnose sleep apnoea as well as other sleep disorders, and they provide extensive information about a person's physiological activity during sleep.
Some studies require an overnight stay in hospital. Alternatively, some studies are carried out in the person's home. This involves a small portable device that is designed for convenient use in the home, ensuring fast and accurate results.
You should visit your Doctor for further advice on diagnosis and treatment or call one of our Centres for Healthy Sleep.
