Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (SAS)

  • Posted in Sleep Apnoea
  •  By Loran Simon

men and womenSleep apnoea is a medical condition manifesting as breathing pauses and reduction of ventilation during sleep. A person has sleep apnoea syndrome if he stop breathing 5 or more times in 1 hour while asleep. Or, if he stops breathing 30 or more times during a 6 hour sleep period. An article from http://www.askdrshah.com sheds light on sleep apnoea syndrome.

  • There are two types of sleep apnoea syndrome: central and obstructive.

  • In the central variety, the airways stay open, while the chest muscles and diaphragm stop working. This occurs mostly when the respiratory centres within the brain are impaired (as happens with drugs like heroin, and other opiates). Premature children and persons on tranquilizers are more prone to CSAS.

  • Some conditions associated with OSAS are the following: Enlarged tonsils or adenoids (EBV infections), left palate, Down’s syndrome, Treacher Collins syndrome, Pierre Robin sequence etc. and obesity.

  • Most adults with sleep apnoea are obese, with particular heaviness at face and neck.

  • Men are more often affected than women.

  • Children and toddlers with defects like Down syndrome, cleft palate etc.

  • Central sleep apnoea symptoms include excessive daytime sleepiness, irritability, lack of concentration, sleep deprivation, increased blood pressure  and heart disease, increased frequency of nocturnal urination and esophageal reflux and heavy breathing at night.

  • Obstructive sleep apnoea symptoms include loud snoring, daytime drowsiness, memory loss, limited attention, morning headaches and lethargy.

  • Associated health problems include high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, diabetes, kidney failure, metabolic syndrome, oxidative stress and sudden death.

  • Lifestyle changes, such as avoiding alcohol and medications that relax the central nervous system (for example, sedatives and muscle relaxants), losing weight, and quitting smoking are implemented.

  • "Stabilizing" sleep routines (i.e., go to bed at the same time each night; try to sleep for a consistent number of hours, etc.) should be done.

  • Learning to play the didgeridoo (an Australian wind instrument which decreases the collapsibility of upper airways), can reduce severity of OSAS.

Read more here:

http://www.askdrshah.com/sleep-apnoea-syndrome.aspx

Image Courtesy of Ambro / freedigitalphotos.net

Somnowell Inventor - Visiting Professor Simon Ash FDS MSc MOrth BDS

Prof. Ash is the inventor of the highly successful SOMNOWELL Chrome device for snoring and sleep apnoea.

The Somnowell Chrome is made to exacting standards in the Somnowell laboratory under the supervision of Visiting Professor Simon Ash. Prof. Ash and his master technicians create each Somnowell Chrome device using their wealth of experience and expertise.

Prof. Ash works at the forefront of his profession. He is a Consultant and Specialist Orthodontist with over 30 years clinical experience, with a special interest in sleep related breathing disorders, TMJD, and bruxism. He currently works in Harley Street London and two private hospitals in London as part of a multi-disciplinary team managing snoring and sleep apnoea, and is Visiting Professor of Orthodontics at the BPP University.

The Somnowell mandibular advancement appliance is also recommended by:

  • Sleep Centres
  • ENT Surgeons, Sleep Physicians, Respiratory, Physicians
  • Orthodontists, Dentists
  • General Medical Practitioners
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