Sleep Apnoea
Sleep apnoea - sometimes called obstructive sleep apnoea - is characterised by episodes when the patient, whilst asleep, stops breathing. Usually they are heavy snorers, and they terminate the period of apnoea (apnoea means no breathing) with a loud snort which partially wakes them. This means that their sleep is very disturbed (as is that of their partner) and they suffer from daytime sleepiness, which is thought to be a contributory factor in many road accidents. While symptoms may be helped by weight loss and decongestants, it may be necessary to provide continuous positive airways pressure using a facemask at night. Surgery to the soft palate may also help.
|
