Sleep Apnoea Treatment in Lahore
If you’re struggling to get a good night’s rest, sleep apnoea could be the culprit. This condition causes your breathing to repeatedly stop and start throughout the night, disrupting restorative sleep. Because it affects your airway, untreated sleep apnoea can sometimes pose serious health risks. Common signs include loud snoring, gasping for air, and insomnia.
Types of Sleep Apnoea
- Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA): The most common form, OSA occurs when relaxed throat muscles partially block the airway during sleep. While it can affect anyone, middle‑aged men are particularly susceptible.
- Central Sleep Apnoea (CSA): Far less common, CSA happens when your brain doesn’t send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Recognizing the Symptoms
You’re not alone—many people live with sleep apnoea without realizing it. In fact, studies suggest at least 4% of men and 2% of women in some populations have OSA. Look out for:
At Night:
- Persistent, loud snoring
- Choking or gasping episodes
- Difficulty staying asleep
During the Day:
- Morning headaches
- Dry mouth upon waking
- Excessive daytime sleepiness and trouble concentrating
- Irritability or mood changes
What Causes Sleep Apnoea?
During deep sleep, throat muscles naturally relax. In sleep apnoea, they relax too much, collapsing the airway. You continue to try breathing, but airflow is blocked, oxygen levels drop, and your brain briefly rouses you so you can breathe again—often without you even realizing it. This cycle can happen dozens of times a night.
Contributing factors include:
- Excess soft tissue around the airway (often linked to obesity)
- Changes in throat muscle tone
- Neurological issues affecting breathing signals
Additional risks:
- Sleeping on your back
- Chronic sinus or nasal congestion
- Hormonal changes (e.g., menopause)
- Recent weight gain
- Large neck circumference or enlarged tonsils/adenoids
- Down syndrome
- Smoking
If you suspect sleep apnoea, consult with a dental or medical professional to discuss evaluation and treatment options. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and other therapies can help restore healthy, uninterrupted sleep.