What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep-related breathing disorder in which airflow repeatedly stops or becomes reduced during sleep.

These interruptions may cause brief awakenings that you might not remember, but they can disrupt normal sleep patterns and lead to daytime tiredness or difficulty concentrating.

Sleep apnea is common and treatable, but it can contribute to other health concerns if left unmanaged.

What Causes Sleep Apnea?

The two main types of sleep apnea are obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea.

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA):
  This is the most frequent form. It occurs when the muscles of the upper airway relax during sleep, causing partial or complete blockage of airflow.
  Common contributing factors include:
  • Being overweight or obese.
  • Enlarged tonsils or adenoids.
  • Alcohol consumption.
  • Certain medical conditions affecting breathing or muscle tone.
  • Nasal obstruction, such as a deviated septum.
• Central Sleep Apnea:
  Less common, this occurs when the brain temporarily fails to send signals to the muscles that control breathing.

Both types can cause repeated pauses in breathing, leading to sleep disruption and low oxygen levels.

Common Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea symptoms can vary, but typical signs include:

• Loud snoring.
• Gasping or choking sensations during sleep.
• Interrupted breathing (often noticed by a partner).
• Excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue.
• Difficulty concentrating or irritability.
• Restless or fragmented sleep.

If you suspect you may have sleep apnea, it is important to speak with your doctor or a qualified ENT specialist for assessment and appropriate management.

Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea

Treatment depends on the type and severity of sleep apnea as well as the individual’s anatomy and health status.

Common management options include:

• Lifestyle changes: Maintaining a healthy weight, reducing alcohol consumption and improving sleep habits.
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): A machine that delivers air through a mask to keep the airway open during sleep.
• Oral appliances: Custom-made mouthguards that help position the jaw or tongue to improve airflow.
• Surgical procedures: In some cases, surgery may be considered to address underlying structural causes, such as enlarged tonsils, adenoids or a deviated septum.

Your ENT specialist can assess which option may be most suitable based on your symptoms and medical findings.

The Role of Septoplasty in Treating Nasal Obstruction

When nasal blockage contributes to difficulty breathing during sleep, a procedure called septoplasty may be considered.

Septoplasty involves reshaping or repositioning the nasal septum to improve airflow through the nose.

This surgery is typically recommended to address functional nasal obstruction, not for cosmetic reasons.

Improved nasal breathing may also help some patients better tolerate treatments such as CPAP.

A consultation with a FRACS-qualified ENT surgeon can help determine whether structural nasal issues are contributing to your sleep apnea and whether septoplasty is appropriate for your individual situation.

Consultation with Dr Shahidi

Dr Shahram Shahidi

BSC(MED)(HON I) MB BS(SYD) FRACS FAAFPS

MED0001167352

Specialist Otolaryngologist (Ear, Nose and Throat) – Head and Neck Surgeon

Member, Australasian Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery

Dr Shahidi is an Australian-trained, FRACS-qualified ENT specialist with more than 20 years of experience in nasal and sinus surgery.

He assesses each patient individually, discusses their symptoms and medical history, and provides information on treatment options to help address nasal obstruction or related breathing issues.

Disclaimer:

All surgical and invasive procedures carry risks. Individual results vary.

Patients should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner before proceeding with any surgical treatment.