Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Data gathering

• Red flags – fall asleep while driving
• Others – witnesses, snoring, concentrating, daytime sleepiness
• Examine – BMI, ENT

Clinical management

• Investigations
  • Epworth sleepiness scale
  • Bloods – FBC, TFTs

• Explanation
  • breathing stops for short spells when asleep, occurs because throat muscles relax and become so floppy they block the airway – this wakes you up briefly several times at night

• Treatment
  • Lifestyle – weight loss, decrease alcohol, stop smoking, sleep on side, ear plugs for partner
  • Mandibular advancement device (dental appliance similar to gum shield)
  • Safety net – if above not helping

• Follow-up / Safety net
  • Refer sleep clinic – sleep study, CPAP, surgery
  • DVLA (if daytime sleepiness)