Untreated OSA can place significant strain on the cardiovascular system. When breathing repeatedly stops during sleep, oxygen levels in the blood fall. These drops activate the body’s stress response, causing sudden increases in blood pressure and forcing the heart to work harder than usual. Each episode of apnoea creates a surge of stress hormones and a spike in blood pressure, and over time, these repeated events can damage the heart and blood vessels.
In fact, high blood pressure is very common in people with OSA, with studies showing that about 50%–60% of patients with OSA also have hypertension.
Night symptoms include:
Daytime symptoms include:
It is diagnosed via a Polysomnography (Sleep Study).
Polysomnography is an overnight test – usually done in a sleep lab or hospital – used to diagnose sleep disorders.
This comprehensive monitoring helps determine the presence and severity of sleep apnoea.
It is performed to find out why your sleep is disrupted and to guide treatment if you are having symptoms like loud snoring, gasping, daytime sleepiness, or abnormal movements during sleep. The test shows whether your sleep cycles are normal or interrupted and helps confirm or rule out sleep disorders.
The test is painless and non-invasive. Sensors are attached to your skin, but they do not cause discomfort, and you can still move around and sleep normally.
Polysomnography is very safe, and complications are rare. The most common issue is mild skin irritation from the adhesive used to attach sensors, which usually resolves quickly.
A CPAP machine provides a steady flow of air through a mask to keep the airways open during sleep. This prevents snoring and apnoea episodes, significantly improving sleep quality. More importantly, this treatment can reduce your risk for high blood pressure as a result of obstructed airflow experienced with sleep apnoea, which then reduces your risk for critical health issues such as heart disease and stroke.
MAD is a custom mouthpiece that gently moves your lower jaw forward during sleep to keep your airway open. It’s mainly used for mild to moderate OSA or when Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy – an alternative treatment option – is not well tolerated.
Jaw and airway surgeries reposition the upper and lower jaw to widen the airway and reduce airway blockage during sleep. This is often recommended for moderate to severe sleep aponea when other treatments fail.
You will be referred to a suitable specialist who can perform this surgery, and you will need to undergo imaging (often 3D scans), dental evaluations, and sleep studies prior to the surgical appointment. You may also need to undergo orthodontic work and to prepare for a short hospital stay afterward.
Most patients experience major improvement, with more than half achieving elimination of sleep apnoea. Many also report improved facial appearance as an added benefit.
Common issues include temporary numbness, swelling, pain, or changes in facial sensation. Serious complications are uncommon but may involve nerve effects or bite changes.
If there is worsening pain, persistent numbness, trouble eating or breathing, or any signs of infection.
A small device implanted under the skin stimulates the hypoglossal nerve during inhalation. This causes the tongue to move forward instead of collapsing backward and blocking the airway during sleep.
Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation is typically considered for patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea who cannot tolerate or do not respond well to the alternative treatment option - Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy. It is a surgically implanted, neurostimulation therapy designed to improve airway patency and reduce apnoea events, thereby improving sleep quality and reducing symptoms like daytime sleepiness.
You will need to undergo a sleep study, an airway evaluation, and an assessment of CPAP intolerance – to show that you cannot tolerate CPAP as Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation is only offered to patients who have trouble using CPAP effectively. Your care team will check your anatomy and overall health to confirm if you are a suitable candidate for this treatment.
Studies show about 68% reduction in sleep apnoea events after 12 months of treatment, with many patients experiencing better sleep and improved daytime alertness. Benefits are maintained for years in follow up studies.
Temporary tongue soreness, incision site discomfort, or mild tongue weakness may occur but will usually improve with time or device adjustments. Serious complications are rare.
You will need to activate the device nightly with a remote and attend follow up visits for fine tuning.
If there is persistent tongue weakness, pain, difficulty using the device, or a sudden return of sleep apnoea symptoms. For any issues relating to the implant or remote, do report it to your care team promptly.
