Sleep apnoea

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Two types of apnoea

Apnoea is a period during which breathing (temporarily) stops.

This can happen to anyone during sleep, but it is considered abnormal when apnoeas and hypopnoeas occur more than five times per hour.

There are two types of apnoea:

Central apnoea: the brain temporarily stops sending signals to the breathing muscles
Obstructive apnoea: breathing is blocked due to the collapse of the upper airways (muscles in the pharynx relax)

Central sleep apnoea

Breathing temporarily stops because the brain no longer sends a signal (stimulus) to the respiratory muscles. There is no air movement and no effort to breathe.

Rare, sometimes associated with severe heart, brain, or kidney disease.
Causes hypersomnia, possibly in combination with insomnia

Obstructive sleep apnoea

During sleep, the muscles in the pharynx relax and the airways are blocked. If inhalation is obstructed for more than 10 seconds, this is called obstructive apnoea (complete pharyngeal obstruction) or hypopnoea (partial obstruction).

Symptoms

Loud interrupted snoring
Daytime sleepiness or concentration difficulties
Morning headaches
Personality changes
Sexual problems
Needing to get up several times a night to urinate.
Possibly high blood pressure and heart rhythm disorders (previously unexplained)

Causes and risk factors

Narrow throat or weaker pharyngeal wall
Enlarged tonsils
Narrowed palate
Position of the lower jaw
Overweight

Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS)

When someone has obstructive sleep apnoea with daytime sleepiness, this is called obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS).

Possible consequences of OSAS on your sleep:

Each time breathing stops, you briefly wake up (for 3 seconds or more), though you are usually unaware of it.
Your sleep is disrupted; you do not reach deep sleep.

Possible consequences of OSAS on your daily life:

You do not feel rested in the morning.
You easily fall asleep during the day.
Risk of road accidents due to severe fatigue.
Loss of concentration.
Memory problems.

Possible consequences of OSAS on your health:

High blood pressure.
Heart rhythm disorders.
Heart attack.
Stroke.
Diabetes.

Treatment

Here you will find an overview of possible treatments for this condition. After diagnosis, your doctor, together with you and the medical team, will choose the best solution for you. Your treatment may therefore differ from the therapies suggested below.