Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a common and debilitating condition and can affect people at any age, although it 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. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is characterised by loud snoring with episodes of silence.

Occasional brief obstructive events are harmless and are quite common in a normal adult.

Each brief awakening required to re-open the airway passage disrupts the normal sleep pattern, preventing the sleeper from enjoying sufficient deep sleep to feel refreshed and energetic the next day.

Sleep Apnoea’s short- to medium-term symptoms include chronic fatigue, mental confusion and lower testosterone count which reduces libido and associated erectile dysfunction but is also linked to many other serious conditions if left untreated over the long term.

OSA can in fact be a contributing factor to hypertension, stroke, diabetes, heart disease and, ultimately, heart failure.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is an effective and non-invasive 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.

For more information, call Technoline on 2134 4345, send an e-mail: admin@technoline-mt.com or visit www.technoline-mt.com.