The word 'apnoea' comes from the Greek language and, in essence, means 'without wind'. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is generally where there is a physical blockage that impedes air from entering and\or exiting whilst you sleep. When you watch someone with OSA it physically looks- and sounds- like they have stopped breathing completely. Some other symptoms of this condition can be snoring, feeling tired through the day and dozing off at inappropriate times. There are also a large number of medical conditions linked to OSA. Speak to your doctor about these possible other symptoms.
There are a number of ways to try treat OSA, yet- because the blockage is physical- there is no 'cure'. Some try surgery, others an oral mouthpiece. Both of these options may work for some though there are many, many more for whom these did not work. There has only ever been one treatment that works to assist in the prevention of apnoea attacks- CPAP machines.
CPAP stands for 'Constant Positive Airway Pressure'. The idea is that the machine constantly pushes air through a face mask through your mouth and onto the blockage which gently forces it open. It does not 'breath for you' and doesn't hurt. The cycle of an apnoea attack is that the blockage impedes air from reaching your lungs, the body in turn tries very hard to breath before eventually it forces you awake. This can happen hundreds of times per night... and you would not even be aware of it. Imagine waking up 200 times a night- you can see why OSA-sufferers are tired!
The CPAP machine breaks this cycle because now there is no blockage. The air can move in and out of the airway easily and a good nights sleep will ensure. Generally, sleep apnoea is a permanent condition. While there are some people who have eventually been able to 'hang up their mask' by losing weight (if weight was the issue) or via surgery, most people eventually have to come to terms with the fact that they will probably always have sleep apnoea. If you think you, or someone you love, has obstructive sleep apnoea, please speak to your sleep specialist or GP about booking in for a sleep study. Alternatively you can contact us for more information.