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iNarrabri Magazine | 03
118-120 Maitland St, Narrabri |
6792 2178 | Open Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm | Sat 8.30am-12noon
Amcal
7 FREE homE basEd slEEp
studiEs FoR obstRuctivE
slEEp apnoEa bEginning
august 24th.
Does this sound like you? Morning headaches,
daytime sleepiness, irritability, poor concentration,
falling asleep during routine activities (reading the
paper or watching television) snoring, witnessed
pausing in breathing, witnessed or waking from
gasping or choking, or frequent night time visits
to the bathroom? You may have Obstructive Sleep
Apnoea.
Left untreated, Sleep Apnoea sufferers can expect
their life expectancy to decrease by up to 15 years.
That’s 15 years less you’ll get to spend with your
family and friends, 15 years less to spend with your
children and grandchildren, 15 years less to spend
travelling or doing the things you love to do!
Let us help you!
If this sounds like you or someone you know read
below to see if they qualify for a FREE sleep study!
This study is an overnight test in the comfort of
your own home. No need to see your Dr! Just come
in and speak to Kylie, Kristy or Graham for more
information!
Strict eligibility criteria must be met so if you suffer
from two or more of the following Snoring, Type 2
Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, have a BMI over 25
or suffer from Depression; all of which are linked
to Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA), you could be
eligible for this free service!
spacEs aRE Filling.
contact ustoday.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnoea?
Normally when we are asleep, the
muscles in our body relax but our
airway stays open, allowing us to
breathe normally.
However, for some people, the airway
doesn’t stay open - often because
there is pressure from fat around the
neck - which stops them breathing
(apnoea, pronounced ap-nee-a) or, if
their breathing is only partly blocked,
the airflow is reduced (hypopnoea,
pronounced hi-pop-nee-a).
This is what doctors call obstructive
sleep apnoea.
Often, this interruption of a person’s
breathing will cause them to wake up
repeatedly through the night, gasping
for air.
The most common sign of obstructive
sleep apnoea or hypopnoea is loud,
irregular snoring - the sound made
as air passes through the narrowed
throat and windpipe (the airway) -
and long pauses when the person
doesn’t seem to be breathing at all.
Common Symptons of OSA
• Loud snoring • Excessive daytime
sleepiness • Feelings of choking or
shortness of breath at night • Restless
sleep • Unrefreshing sleep • Changes
in personality • Repetitive nocturnal
urination
Less Common Symptons of OSA
• Morning headaches • Reduced
libido • Spouse worried by pauses in
breathing • Nocturnal sweating
Rare Symptons of OSA
• Recurrent arousals/ insomnia
• Nocturnal cough • Symptomatic
oesophageal reflux (heartburn).
Are some people more likely to
develop obstructive sleep apnoea?
Some people may be more likely to
develop obstructive sleep apnoea or
hypopnoea than others, for example:
• If a person is overweight and, in
particular, if they have a lot of flesh or
fat around the neck, this can put
pressure on the airway and make it
easier for it to collapse during sleep
• Some people may have an
unusually shaped jaw, or a receding
chin; this means there
is less room left for
the airway and, again,
makes it easier for it to
collapse during sleep.
Does obstructive sleep apnoea run
in families?
Obstructive sleep apnoea often runs
in families as narrowing can be caused
by the way your bones and muscles
grow to form your face, throat and
airways, and this can be inherited
from your parents.
Does anything make obstructive
sleep apnoea worse?
• Sedatives and alcohol can make
the problems worse, by relaxing the
airway muscles
• In old age, the airway tissues
become more limp, increasing the
likelihood of obstructive sleep apnoea
• Being overweight makes it more
likely that your airway will be softer
and fleshier, so it will be easier for it to
collapse during sleep
• Having a cold or hay fever causes
swelling of the lining of your airway
and makes it easier for it to close
during your sleep.
• Unrelenting snoring can, over time,
reduced the ability of the muscles to
keep the upper airway open
Is having OSA dangerous?
Frequent apnoeas or hypopnoeas
mean the body repeatedly doesn’t
get enough oxygen and this - and the
effort to breathe - can lead to higher
blood pressure and heart problems.
Patients who already have heart or
lung problems are, obviously, most at
risk.
Anybody who suffers from
uncontrolled excessive daytime
sleepiness or lack of sleep may be at
risk through falling asleep in
dangerous situations, such as when
driving or operating machinery.
How can OSA be treated?
CAMStart Pharmacy now offer home
testing kits that you can take home
over night. The results are sent to a
specialist to diagnose the degree of
sleep apnoea and treatment needed.
obstRuctivE slEEp apnoEa (osa)
“Left untreated, Sleep Apnoea
sufferers can expect their life
expectancy to decrease by up
to 15 years”