Could your snoring be a warning sign of apnoea?

Persistent snoring, often dismissed as merely a nuisance, could potentially indicate a more significant health issue known as obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). This condition, if left untreated, may elevate the risk of hypertension, stroke, and heart attack. Dr Zulkifli Hamir Basah, a consultant otorhinolaryngologist, explains that loud, frequent snoring accompanied by breathing pauses during sleep may signal OSA.

When the heart lacks oxygen, a heart attack can occur; similarly, a lack of oxygen in the brain could lead to a stroke. OSA happens when the airway becomes completely blocked during sleep, causing breathing to cease for at least ten seconds at a time. These interruptions can recur throughout the night, often without the sleeper even realizing it.

Common symptoms include persistent fatigue, difficulty concentrating, excessive daytime sleepiness, and frequent morning headaches despite adequate sleep. Unlike the typical snorer who enjoys uninterrupted sleep, those with OSA experience frequent awakenings, often gasping or choking for air, which disrupts sleep and leads to excessive daytime sleepiness and an inability to focus.

To diagnose OSA, doctors utilize sleep studies that monitor oxygen levels, pulse rates, and breathing patterns during sleep. These tests can be conducted at home or as an overnight stay at a hospital using a small device attached to the body. Factors contributing to OSA include enlarged tonsils, naturally narrow airways, and obesity, with the latter being the most common cause.

Excess fatty tissue around the neck can obstruct airflow during sleep. Dr Basah notes that most of his sleep apnoea patients are overweight. A severe case involved a patient weighing 160kg admitted to the ICU due to severe OSA; the patient's severity index score was 80, well above the threshold for severe OSA. Remarkably, the patient's health improved significantly after losing weight, highlighting the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle to reduce the risk of OSA and improve overall health and quality of life.