Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and Narcolepsy

Question 1

what is obstructive sleep apnoea

Answer 1

Recurrent episodes of upper airway obstruction leading to apnoea during sleep

Question 2

what may a patient tell you that would suggest they might have OSA

Answer 2

have heavy snoring
experience unrefreshing sleep
sleep during the day
poor daytime concentration

Question 3

what is the pathophysiology of OSA

Answer 3

can happen due to muscle relaxation, obesity or if the pharynx becomes narrow.

this can lead to repeated closure of the airway during sleep and apnoea

Question 4

what health conditions can OSA lead to

Answer 4

associated with hypertension
increased risk of stroke
increased risk of heart disease

Question 5

what is the prevalence of OSA in men and women

Answer 5

2% of men

1% of women

Question 6

how is OSA diagnosed

Answer 6

history and examination
Epworth questionnaire
overnight sleep study

Question 7

what does an overnight sleep study consist of

Answer 7

pulse oximetry

full polysomnography

Question 8

what does oximetry measure

Answer 8

indirectly monitors the oxygen saturation of a patient’s blood

Question 9

what is a polysomnography

Answer 9

a sleep study used to diagnose sleep disorders

Question 10

what does a polysomnography record

Answer 10

brain waves
oxygen saturation of blood 
body position 
heart rate and breathing 
eye and leg movement

Question 11

what value is considered sever on the apnoea hypopnea index

Answer 11

higher than 30

Question 12

what lifestyle factors could be changed to improve symptoms of OSA

Answer 12

weight reduction in obese individuals
avoidance of alcohol
stop smoking

Question 13

what medical treatment is available for OSA

Answer 13

CPAP

mandibular repositioning splint

Question 14

what is the prevalence of narcolepsy in the population

Answer 14

0.05% of the population

Question 15

what age group does narcolepsy typically effect

Answer 15

10y-30y

Question 16

what are the main features of narcolepsy

Answer 16

irresistible daytime sleepiness
cataplexy- (muscle weakness in response to amusement or emotion)
hypnagogic hallucinations
sleep paralysis

Question 17

what is usually the cause of Narcolepsy

Answer 17

its familial

Question 18

what is the treatment for Narcolepsy

Answer 18

Modafinil- daytime sleepiness

sodium Oxybate- for cataplexy

Question 19

what level is pCO2 in chronic ventilatory failure

Answer 19

higher than 6 kPa

Question 20

what level is pO2 in chronic ventilatory failure

Answer 20

less than 8 kPa

Question 21

what could be elevated in the blood in chronic ventilatory failure apart from CO2

Answer 21

elevated bicarbonate

Question 22

what are typical symptoms of chronic ventilatory failure

Answer 22

Breathlessness
recurrent chest infections 
ankle swelling 
morning headache 
disturbed sleep 
orthopnea