Should I be concerned?
Sleep disordered breathing refers to a group of conditions where a person’s breathing repeatedly changes, can become abnormal in pattern or regularly interrupted during sleep.
This condition can cause poor Sleep Quality, which may often lead to associated Health Problems. The most common type of Sleep Disordered Breathing is Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. This is where the airway temporarily becomes partially or completely obstructed by the soft tissue present in the Oropharynx (the Oropharynx is the middle area of the throat, found just behind the mouth and plays a key role in swallowing, breathing and speaking) and may often cause the person to stop breathing for short or longer periods, often many times during the night. When this happens, oxygen levels drop in circulating blood flow, carbon dioxide rises and a startle or gasp will then follow, which reinitiates breathing.
Key Features of Sleep Disordered Breathing
- Sleep Disordered Breathing includes a broad range of symptoms from Snoring to more complex symptoms of Sleep Apnoea, where breathing may stop for a few seconds to minutes.
- These interruptions are commonly caused by relaxed muscles in the oropharynx (location as described above) where the airway narrows or closes over either fully or partially, often followed by loud snoring or gasping.
- People experiencing this may not be aware this is happening, unless a bed partner or family member is awakened by loud snoring, concerningly loud choking sounds, or notices pauses in a bed partner’s breathing.
- It may be more difficult for people concerned about their Sleep Disordered Breathing who live alone, to have Sleep Disordered Breathing brought to their attention, described and investigated.
- Even if someone sleeps what they believe to be a normal night’s sleep, their Sleep may be fragmented, unrestful and not restorative. This often leads to unexplained daytime tiredness. This may often be presented as having difficulty concentrating, falling asleep easily in meetings, movies or when driving, watching TV or problems with recall and memory, often associated with poor quality overnight sleep.
The most common symptoms of Sleep Disordered Breathing:
- Loud snoring
- Gasping or choking during sleep
- Short or long pauses in breathing
- Restless sleep or frequent waking during the night
- Feeling tired in the daytime, even following what is thought to be a full night’s sleep
- Raised blood pressure (Hypertension) leading to investigation
- Periodic changes in heart rate ( Atrial Fibrillation), leading to investigation.
- Unexplained morning headaches
Why does this matter?
Repeated disturbed breathing patterns affects oxygen supply to the body and brain, which can lead to health risks (as described above) including high blood pressure, often cardiac symptoms, and accidents associated with Daytime Sleepiness, along with struggles with clouded memory and thoughts.
Recognizing Sleep Disordered Breathing is important.
Speak with your GP and request a referral to a Consultant in Respiratory Medicine or an ENT Consultant contact@sleephealthclinic.ie ( This is a Health Mail address), as investigating, diagnosing and treating Sleep Disordered Breathing, (if present) will substantially help improve your Sleep quality, your Quality of Life and your overall Health, if present.