Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is a common and debilitating condition affecting up to 10 per cent of the population.

It often remains undiagnosed in patients, but has been found to be as widespread as conditions like diabetes and can affect people at any age, although is most prevalent from middle age onwards.

In OSA, the upper part of the air passage behind the tongue narrows and often blocks during sleep, causing an interruption to breathing.

This is called an obstructive apnoea. OSA is characterised by loud snoring with episodes of silence. Sleep partners may report not just snoring but snorting and choking, as well as frightening struggles to breathe while asleep.

Occasional brief obstructive events are harmless and quite common in a normal adult. Each brief awakening required to re-open the airway passage destroys the normal sleep pattern and sleep is severely disrupted.

This prevents the sleeper from enjoying sufficient deep sleep to feel refreshed and energetic the next day.

Sleep apnoea has been linked to many other serious conditions and if left untreated, can be a contributing factor in heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the most effective treatment offered to OSA sufferers.

This therapy is designed to stop the air passage from narrowing or collapsing during sleep by acting as a splint.

Air is continuously blown through a mask (worn over the nose and/or mouth) at a positive pressure which holds the airway open, thus preventing its collapse during sleep.

For more information, contact Technoline Limited on 2134 4345 or admin@technoline-mt.com.