If this sounds familiar, you might be one of the 5 to 8 per cent of the population who suffer from obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). OSA is a serious medical condition. If untreated, you not only feel very tired, but OSA can have an impact on all areas of your life. Here, we tell you about OSA and steps you can take to treat it.
Snoring is not just a funny thing that humans do. Snoring can be destructive for relationships, causing couples to move into separate bedrooms. If one partner struggles to nod off while their sweetheart snores like a train the minute his or her head hits the pillow, there’s a chance neither partner is getting a good night’s sleep.
Snorers might look crashed out, but if they suffer from sleep apnoea, there’s a strong chance they are not getting the deep, restorative sleep their bodies need.
The reason for this is that sleep apnoea sufferers actually stop breathing, due to a narrowing of the airways. The brain then alerts the body to the loss of oxygen, and the sleeper becomes aroused out of sleep, gasping for another breath.
But sleep apnoea sufferers are often unaware of these repeated nocturnal arousals. Over time, these apnoeas can add up to hours of oxygen deprivation and have a serious impact on the body and brain.
Sleep apnoea is a recognised medical condition, and if untreated, can contribute to problems with blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, heart disease, depression, relationship difficulties and more. So what can you do if you have concerns about your sleep health?
Your first step is to chat to your GP. They can refer you for a Medicare–funded sleep test with Pacific Sleep, where you will have a consultation with one of the Central Coast’s leading sleep and respiratory specialists as part of your sleep diagnosis.
Pacific Sleep specialises in home diagnostic sleep testing. The Pacific Sleep clinicians will set you up with a home sleep test. The test is done in the comfort of your own cosy bed.
After the test, you’ll come back to the clinic where the sleep specialist will explain the results of your test to you and recommend any treatment. The Pacific Sleep team will explain CPAP or other doctor–recommended therapies to you, and assist you to trial these therapies, as a part of any lifestyle changes you might need.
The Pacific Sleep team at Gosford and Toukley has been helping sleepy people for over 15 years. Founded by Paul–Andre Thierry and his wife Alison in North Gosford, Pacific Sleep is a truly local Central Coast business. Our sleep clinicians and customer care team are passionate about helping people find their way to better health through healthy sleep.
If you have concerns about your sleep health, call us today on (02) 4339 1222 or visit our website www.pacificsleep.com.au.
We promise we won’t rest until you get a good night’s sleep… Suite 2, 14–18 Jarrett Street, North Gosford, on the North Gosford Private Hospital campus.