Healthy Sleep Solutions Sunshine Coast

Sleep Apnea is a common condition that may affect up to 1 in 4 Australian adults1. Many people do not realise how sleep apnea may be affecting their health or the lives of their partners.

The most common form of sleep apnea is called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). If you have OSA it means that the muscles in the upper airway (at the back of the throat) temporarily relax which partially or totally blocks the airway whilst you are asleep causing you to stop breathing2. These pauses in breathing (apneas) can last for more than 10 seconds and it is not uncommon to experience apneas that last for a minute or more. For people with moderate to severe OSA, these events can happen several hundred times a night.

Apneas cause the oxygen level in your blood to fall and this alerts the brain to wake the body to begin breathing again2. People with this problem may not realise this is happening because they think they slept throughout the night. However, these alerts prevent the brain from resting during the night which often leaves the person waking in the morning unrefreshed or feeling excessively sleepy during the day.

How do I know if I have sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is frequently noticed by the sufferer’s sleeping partner. Not everyone feels tired during the day however, snoring, noticeable pauses in breathing and gasping whilst asleep are very common signs. These symptoms can also be quite frustrating for the partner whose sleep is also disturbed. Sleep apnea is also very common in people who are overweight and the tiredness caused by sleep apnea can make it difficult to lose weight3.

Should I be concerned?

There is strong evidence that suggests people with moderate to severe forms of the condition die prematurely4. Left untreated, sleep apnea strongly increases the risk of heart attack5, stroke6 and is associated with other cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure7 and type 2 diabetes8 making it more difficult to control these conditions. Sufferers of sleep apnea are also 7 times more likely to have a motor vehicle accident9 and more likely to experience an injury in the workplace9 than people without OSA.

Don’t put off doing something about it.

Sleep apnea is easily treated and often without the need for medication. The benefits of treatment are lifesaving through dramatically lowering your risk of heart disease and stroke10. Treatment can give you back more energy and help you live a longer, healthier happier and more fulfilling life.

If you or someone you know is at risk of sleep apnea, act now by asking your doctor if you qualify for a for a sleep test bulk billed through Medicare. Our tests can be conducted at home.