One of the areas treated at the Sleep Medicine Centre is breathing disorders, i.e. sleep apnoea. It involves repeated breathing stops and a subsequent decrease in oxygen saturation in the blood.
The main symptoms are snoring, gasping and excessive daytime sleepiness. Other symptoms include morning headaches, dry mouth, fatigue, lack of concentration and depression.
It is a disease that is most common in men and people who are overweight or obese, and in those with cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
Complications of untreated apnea include just the development of diabetes and obesity, as well as arterial hypertension. The risk of stroke, heart attack or arrhythmias is also increased. It has also been shown to impair cognitive functions such as concentration, memory and attention.
You will attend the Centre at a pre-arranged time and report to reception. You will then be met by an outpatient clinic staff member and escorted to the surgery. Bring a referral from the attending physician, or other additional documentation (report from a pulmonologist, neurologist, cardiologist, etc.). During the initial examination, the somnologist will discuss your problems with you and determine the next course of treatment. He/she will indicate a limited polygraphy or polysomnography examination. In both cases, a sleep technician will guide you through the entire examination process
At the next check-up you will be informed of the results of the measurements and the doctor will work with you to draw up a treatment plan. If you are diagnosed with moderate or severe sleep apnoea, you will be referred for treatment with a CPAP machine. Setting up treatment takes place during an overnight hospitalization at the Sleep Medicine Center (or by appointment at home). Once therapy is successfully established, the device will be requested through your health insurance company so that you can keep it for use.
Sleep apnoea syndrome is a serious condition characterised by the patient repeatedly stopping breathing in their sleep. Due to the breathing stops, the supply of oxygen to the patient's body is disrupted which affects his health. The brain sends a signal to wake up every time the breathing stops, making it impossible to reach a deep stage of sleep.
Sleep apnoea is divided into three main types depending on the cause:
Sleep apnoea is caused by relaxation of the muscles in the back of the throat supporting the soft tissues (palate, tonsils, cone, lateral walls of the larynx). The tissues narrow or close completely, creating an obstruction tobreathing. The body then suffers from a lack of oxygen and uncomfortable pressure in the lungs. The brain assesses this as a danger and wakes the patient up, thereby restoring the airway. The person in question usually does not remember this because it is a very brief episode. The frequency of awakenings in one night is quite high. The disease does not affect any group and can affect anyone. Children are no exception.
Sleep apnea can be successfully treated! The therapy itself is very individual and depends mainly on the cause and severity of the disease. The most common tips to alleviate the symptoms of the disease include:
Lifestyle changes only help if it is a milder form of the disease.
In this regard, the following in particular contribute:
Weight reduction - fat tissue can block the airways and cause apnoea. Therefore, weight loss helps to relax the airways and improve breathing.
Exercise - regular exercise will improve the health of your lungs and heart, which of course also leads to improved breathing. It naturally helps with weight loss as well.
Avoiding addictive substances - alcohol, cigarettes and sedative drugs relax the muscles in the throat and cause them to become flaccid, which in turn leads to worsening of sleep apnea. Therefore, you should avoid consuming these substances, especially immediately before bedtime.
Improving sleep habits - this includes regular sleep, sleeping on your side instead of your back and avoiding caffeine before going to bed.
Sleep apnoea pillows are designed to promote correct head and neck positioning, which can help relieve symptoms. The use of an appropriate pillow is often part of a comprehensive treatment approach, and it is important to consult with a physician or sleep disorder specialist about pillow selection and other treatments.
This therapy is one of the most commonly used therapies to treat sleep apnea. A CPAP machine works by delivering a constant stream of pressurized air into the airways through a mask, keeping the airways open during sleep and allowing normal airflow to the lungs. This process thus helps to eliminate frequent and uncomfortable interruptions in breathing.
Stress therapy can improve sleep apnea by improving sleep quality, reducing inflammation, and promoting healthy habits such as weight loss. Reducing stress also improves medication adherence, which is key to effectively managing the disease. Overall, it also contributes to better physical and mental well-being.
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