Sleep Apnea is ‘More than a Snore’

The national “More than a Snore” campaign launched yesterday, 6th Feb 2023 to raise awareness of obstructive sleep apnea, a chronic disease that involves the repeated collapse of the upper airway during sleep. The campaign is a collaborative project funded through a grant awarded to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

“This campaign will raise national awareness of obstructive sleep apnea and encourage undiagnosed patients to advocate for themselves and seek treatment,” said Jennifer Martin, a licensed clinical psychologist and president of the AASM. “It is important that patients and health care professionals feel confident to discuss sleep apnea and identify the optimal, personalised treatment plan.”

Obstructive sleep apnea affects millions of individuals across the world. 

Warning signs for obstructive sleep apnea include snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness.

Other  common symptoms of obstructive and central sleep apneas include:

• Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep — which would be reported by another person.
• Gasping for air during sleep.
• Awakening with a dry mouth.
• Morning headache.
• Difficulty staying asleep, known as insomnia.
• Excessive daytime sleepiness, known as hypersomnia.
• Difficulty paying attention while awake.
• Irritability.

This campaign will inform the public that untreated sleep apnea is “More than a Snore,” affecting a person’s long-term health and quality of life. Untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of other health problems such as cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and depression.

Sleep apnea should be discussed with a health care professional to determine if testing and treatment are necessary. Primary care professionals and specialists who see patients for routine health care should screen their patients for sleep apnea if they exhibit any of these warning signs.

There are numerous treatments for sleep apnea, including oral appliances which can an option for treatment.

For milder cases of obstructive sleep apnea, your doctor might recommend lifestyle changes:

• Lose weight if you’re overweight.
• Exercise regularly.
• Drink alcohol moderately, if at all. Don’t drink in the hours before bedtime.
• Quit smoking.
• Use a nasal decongestant or allergy medications.
• Don’t sleep on your back.
• Avoid taking sedative medications such as anti-anxiety drugs or sleeping pills.