Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Question 1

What are the two types of Sleep Apnoea?

Answer 1

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Central Sleep Apnoea

Question 2

Give examples of Obstructive causes for Sleep Apnoea

Answer 2

• Obesity
• Allergies
• Enlarged adenoid glands
• Maxillomandibular anomalies

Question 3

What are symptoms of Sleep Apnoea

Answer 3

Snoring
Irregular breathing patterns
Inability to get restful sleep
Difficulty concentrating
Headaches
Fatigue
Severe cases: Hypertension

Question 4

What is the pathophysiology of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea?

Answer 4

• When patient falls asleep, their respiratory muscle tone decreases causing obstruction of airways and thus hypercapnia
• This leads to hyperpnoea (increased breathing / hyperventilation) which reduces CO2 levels
• The CO2 levels however undershoot, and the body falls into a state of apnoea (no breathing)
• This however causes CO2 levels to rise,and overshoots as the patient is not breathing in or out (hypercapnia)
• Cycle repeats

Question 5

What is the first-line investigation to diagnose Sleep Apnoea?

Answer 5

Polysomnogram

Question 6

What is is CPAP? What does it do?

Answer 6

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure device, whereby pressured air is forced into airways. Used for treatment of Sleep Apnoea

Question 7

What are treatment options for Sleep Apnoea?

Answer 7

• ENT referral
• Avoid alcohol, sleep medications, depressants
• Sleep on the side, instead of on back
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
• Custom made oral mouth pieces
• Surgery i.e. Adenoid removal, jaw realignment