[19] Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome Flashcards
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS)?
A clinical condition in which there is intermittent and repeated upper airway collapse during sleep
How is complete apnoea defined?
10-second pause in breathing activity
How is partial apnoea defined?
10-second period where ventilation is reduced by at least 50%
What is partial apnoea also known as?
Hypoapnoea
What is the normal sleep/wake cycle in adults divided into?
- REM
- Non-REM
- Consciousness
In what state are the muscles of the throat and neck in REM sleep?
Completely attenuated
What does attenuation of the throat and neck muscles in REM sleep allow?
Relaxation of the tongue, soft palate and oropharynx
What does relaxation of the throat structures cause in sleep apnoea?
Impedance of the flow of air to a degree ranging from light snoring to complete collapse
What happens if sleep apnoea causes blood oxygen levels to fall or exertion of breathing to become too great?
Neurological mechanisms trigger a sudden interruption of sleep
What is the sudden interruption of sleep that can occur in sleep apnoea called?
Neurological arousal
What does neurological arousal normally result in?
Negative effect on the restorative quality of sleep (rarely complete awakening)
What are most cases of OSAS believed to best caused by?
- Old age
- Brain injury
- Decreased muscle tone
- Increased soft tissue around airway
- Structural features that give rise to a narrowed airway
What can cause decreased muscle tone leading to OSAS?
- Drugs or alcohol
- Neurological problems
What can cause increased soft tissue around airway?
Obesity
What are the risk factors for OSAS?
- Obesity
- Male gender
- Aged 55-59 in men
- Aged 60-64 in women
- Smoking
- Sedative drugs
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Family history
What other conditions are associated with OSAS?
- Hypertension
- Cardiovascular disease
- Obesity
- Metabolic syndrome
- Diabetes
- Asthma
How can sleep apnoea present?
- Snoring
- Witnessed apnoea
- Symptoms of sleep fragmentation
What are some symptoms of sleep fragmentation that can occur in OSAS?
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Impaired concentration
- Unrefreshing sleep
- Irritability/personality change
How is OSAS clinically defined?
As 5 or more respiratory events per hour in association with sleep disordered breathing
What is meant by respiratory events in the clinical definition of OSAS?
- Apnoea
- Hypoapnoea
- Arousals
What are some potentially noteworthy findings on examination for OSAS?
- Obesity
- Fat deposition anterolateral to the airway
- Large neck circumference
- Certain craniofacial or pharyngeal abnormalities associated with OSAS
What craniofacial and pharyngeal abnormalities are associated with OSAS?
- Micrognathia
- Enlarged tonsils
- Macroglossia
How is OSAS diagnosed?
Through varying levels of nocturnal monitoring of respiratory, sleep and cardiac parameters