Do you tend to feel tired throughout the day? Are you generally fatigued even if you think you’ve had a good night’s sleep? Irritable? Forgetful? Unable to concentrate? Maybe that sleep wasn’t as good as you thought.

Sleep Apnoea or apnoea is a condition in which a person stops breathing for short intervals of time (10 seconds or more) during sleep. These episodes happen repeatedly and often go unnoticed. Previously, this problem was thought to be brought on by allergies, snoring and even emotional stress. But recent studies are proving that sleep apnoea can be far more serious than just a stuffy nose.

There are different forms of sleep apnoea, but the most common is Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) occurring when the lining of the throat relaxes and narrows during sleep, cutting off oxygen to the brain. Case studies and research in American show that OSA is closely linked to type 2 diabetes as levels of glucose are affected. Studies have shown that 50% of people with OSA suffer from diabetes. Also associated with OSA are high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. Much of the research leans toward a high rate of obesity to be a cause with the majority to sufferers being men. It has also been proven that people with sleep apnea tend to be more forgetful and will at times have memory loss as a result of their condition.

Unfortunately, OSA can not be detected with just a simple office visit to your GP. The symptoms of fatigue, irritability and forgetfulness can be related to a number of different conditions, but it isn’t until the mention of gasping for breath or choking during sleep occurs that the problem is properly diagnosed. This is particularly difficult because most people don’t remember gasping or choking during sleep or upon awakening. In many cases, it’s a family member or partner who first becomes aware of the problem. Proper diagnosis comes after tests conducted in a sleep lab or by a sleep specialist.

There are proven treatments for OSA. Few people find weight loss and a controlled diet helpful. Sleeping laterally, on the side, versus sleeping on one’s back has proven helpful. The most common form of treatment is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) which is a device that delivers a constant stream of air from a pump through a hose and into a nasal pillow that sits over the nose. This allows the throat to remain more open during sleep. In more severe sufferers, medication is required.

If you suffer from any of the symptoms mentioned here or have type 2 diabetes, please contact your surgery and arrange to speak with your GP.

George Venables from Mattressman commenting on the findings said "A better nights sleep can be achieved with a memory foam mattress because increased support in bed and raising the head higher helps"

References:

American Diabetes Association

NHS

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute