Severe sleep apnoea is a serious sleep disorder characterised by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep. In severe sleep apnoea, breathing may be interrupted more than 30 times per hour. This condition can significantly impact health, potentially leading to heart disease, stroke, or persistent fatigue if left untreated. Recognising symptoms such as loud snoring, gasping for air while sleeping, and excessive daytime drowsiness, is essential for timely intervention. In this article, CPAP Discount Warehouse explores the causes, symptoms and treatments for sleep apnoea.
What is Severe Sleep Apnoea?
Sleep apnoea is a serious sleep problem. It causes breathing to stop and start repeatedly while you sleep. There are 3 types of sleep apnoea:
+ If you have obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), the muscles in your upper airway relax while you're sleeping. This can block your airways and make it hard to breathe. This can make it hard to breathe at first, but your breathing will start again once your reflexes kick in.
+ People with central sleep apnoea (CSA) have a problem with their breathing. The brain stops sending signals to the rest of the body that control breathing.
You have severe sleep apnoea if your breathing stops and starts more than 30 times an hour.
+ Complex sleep apnoea syndrome is a type of sleep apnoea that combines OSA and central sleep apnoea
The apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) is a way to measure sleep apnoea. It can be used to determine the severity of sleep apnoea, ranging from mild to severe.
Severe obstructive sleep apnoea means that your apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) is greater than 30 (more than 30 episodes per hour). AHI measures how often breathing pauses (apnoeas) or becomes shallow (hypopneas) per hour.
Severe sleep apnoea symptoms
In severe OSA, breathing may be interrupted more than 30 times per hour. If this is not treated or diagnosed, it can lead to serious, even life-threatening, consequences. Its symptoms are often pronounced and typically persist over an extended period. Below are the most common signs of this condition:
+ Sudden awakening from sleep, often accompanied by feelings of suffocation or difficulty breathing.
+ Mood swings or irritability.
+ Excessive night sweats.
+ Daytime sleepiness.
+ Difficulty concentrating and remembering things.
+ Dry mouth or sore throat.
+ Headaches in the morning.
>>> The Link Between Obesity and Sleep Apnoea
What can severe sleep apnoea cause?
The Australian Sleep Apnoea Association (ASAA) warns that untreated sleep apnoea can lead to severe health complications, including:
-
Heart failure
-
High blood pressure
-
Stroke
-
Depression
-
Diabetes
-
Hypertension
-
Death
-
Motor Accidents
-
Impotence
Additionally, sleep apnoea increases the risk of accidents, particularly due to drowsiness while driving, posing a significant safety concern.
Diagnosis of Severe Sleep Apnoea
Diagnosing severe sleep apnoea involves a comprehensive sleep study, where your breathing and sleep patterns are monitored. This assessment can take place in a specialised in-lab study (Polysomnogram) or home sleep study
Additionally, the doctor will evaluate your throat, neck, and mouth, while reviewing your medical conditions and sleep-related symptoms. In some cases, a blood test may be required to rule out underlying conditions like hypothyroidism.
How to treat severe sleep apnoea?
Untreated sleep apnoea can lead to serious health complications. However, various effective treatment options are available, customised to each individual's condition and its severity. For those with severe sleep apnoea, the following treatments are commonly recommended.
Lifestyle changes
Healthy lifestyle changes are very effective in treating sleep apnoea. These include regular physical activity, healthy sleeping habits, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol and caffeine consumption, and quitting smoking. Beside, weight loss can improve cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of complications associated with obesity.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)
A machine that alleviates breathing problems at night by ensuring a constant flow of air through the nose. Air pressure delivered through a mask helps keep your airways open while you sleep. Some people find CPAP machine uncomfortable at first, but they are one of the most effective treatments for severe sleep apnoea. There are different types of CPAP masks and machines. Doctors can adjust the settings to make it more comfortable.
Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP)
Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) therapy is a non-invasive treatment for severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Especially beneficial for individuals who struggle with CPAP machines.
BiPAP devices provide two distinct air pressure levels:
-
Higher Inhalation Pressure (IPAP): Supports breathing by keeping the airway open during inhalation.
-
Lower Exhalation Pressure (EPAP): Reduces resistance, making exhalation more comfortable.
Surgery
Some people need surgery to remove tissue or clear a blocked airway. There are several common surgical options:
- Tonsillectomy: Surgery to remove the tonsils.
- Adenoid removal: Surgical removal of the adenoids.
- Palatoplasty: Plastic surgery to repair a split in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate). This is a common birth defect.
Oral appliances
Dental devices help keep the airway open by adjusting the position of the jaw and tongue. They are particularly effective for individuals with mild to moderate OSA and can sometimes aid in severe cases. Many people find them more comfortable than CPAP machines, and their compact design makes them convenient for travel. However, for the best results, it is essential to consult a dentist or orthodontist specialising in sleep apnoea treatment.
>>> BiPAP vs CPAP: How It Works and What's the Difference?
What is the best CPAP machine for severe sleep apnoea?
If you have a more severe case of sleep apnoea, you may need a BiPAP machine. ResMed Lumis 100 VPAP S 4G often use two levels of pressure (inspiratory and expiratory) to help people who have a hard time breathing.
Some patients may only need one fixed air pressure, and therefore need a CPAP machine. An auto-PAP (APAP) machine such as ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet / AirSense 11 AutoSet automatically adjusts the air pressure given to the patient. This is important because things like weight and sleep position can change and affect how bad apnoea events are.
FAQs
What are the side effects of severe sleep apnoea?
Common health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease, are often connected to severe sleep apnoea.
What is a severe sleep apnoea score?
Your AHI score shows how severe your sleep apnoea is: AHI of 5 to 14 = mild. AHI of 15 to 30 = moderate. AHI over 30 = severe.
Can severe sleep apnoea kill you?
Some studies have found a link between sleep apnoea and health problems like type 2 diabetes, strokes, and heart attacks. People with severe obstructive sleep apnoea are more likely to have a higher risk of fatal events, like cancer.
Can sleep apnoea be cured?
Sleep apnoea is a long-lasting health problem. This means it's ongoing and not something that can be cured. However, it can be treated successfully. The good news is that, depending on the cause of someone's sleep apnoea, the symptoms and complications can be reduced or eliminated.
How serious is severe sleep apnoea?
Severe forms of sleep apnoea disrupt sleep and require considerable effort to resume breathing each time. This can damage blood vessels and organs, and increase the risk of serious health problems, including:
+ Heart attack.
+ Stroke.
+ Certain types of cancer.
+ Type 2 diabetes.
Conclusion
Severe sleep apnoea is a serious condition that can lead to significant health issues if not treated. Recognising the symptoms early and seeking medical advice are essential. Treatment options include lifestyle changes, CPAP and BiPAP therapy, oral devices, and surgery. Visit our website to find top-rated CPAP machines from trusted brands like ResMed, F&P, and Philips. Shop easily at CPAP Discount Warehouse.
