What happens is that:
- The person falls asleep
- Tissue in the airway relaxes
- The airway closes and the person stops breathing
- Oxygen in the blood falls
- The brain wakes up and causes the airway to tighten
- The person starts breathing again, often with a loud snort
- The person falls asleep again
- Tissues relax again, and the cycle repeats itself, sometimes several hundred times a night
What are the long term effects of osa?
- People with untreated OSA are prone to falling asleep at any time of the day, even when driving a vehicle.
- Often the increasing symptoms of OSA over the years are put down to age, stress and work pressures.
left untreated… OSA has a detrimental effect on lifestyle and can cause:
- Memory problems
- Concentration lapses
- Impotence
- Stroke
- Increased risk of heart disease and high blood pressure
- Adverse personality changes
- Hindered and slower healing processes after illness.
What should I do if I or my partner think I have OSA?
Discuss it with your doctor
If necessary, ask for a referral to a Sleep Clinic or Sleep Disorders specialist
If the specialist thinks you have OSA, they will arrange an overnight sleep study to measure
your breathing while you sleep
If you have been to your GP and remain concerned, contact a sleep service near you andseek their advice
Visit www.sleepapnoeanz.org.nz today?
What then? If the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment can be arranged to give you a continuous good night’s sleep.
This can take several forms, the most common of which is CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), which allows you to breathe without obstruction when asleep. The equipment may seem unusual at first, but a significant number of people get instant relief and feel better from the first day.
saaz SAANZ was formed in 1992 and aims:
- To promote awareness of sleep apnoea and sleep disorders
- To provide accurate information to the general public and any health care professionals seeking it
- To raise funds and support research into the causes and effects of sleep apnoea / sleep disorders
- To provide emotional support to sufferers and their families as well as fi nancial support to sufferers for treatment /equipment
- To assist, organise and promote branches of the Association in regional centres in New Zealand
being a supporter: Makes sure you know about latest available treatment
Increases awareness of sleep apnoea in the public arena
Makes it easier for other sufferers to get help
are there other sleep disorders? The modern study of sleep related disorders is a comparatively new branch of medicine. While
there is some overlap, the vast majority fall into two categories:
Disorders of initiation and maintenance of sleep (different forms of insomnia which can
usually initially be managed by GPs)
Disorders leading to excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). The main one is obstructive
sleep apnoea, but there are others which also disrupt the sleep cycle
It is clear from research that sleep related disorders reduce the quality of life of an estimated 240,000 New Zealanders.
Only a small percentage are investigated in spite of the impact sleep deprivation has on
the population, especially on those with other contributing health issues.
If you have any doubt, the first step is to consult your GP. Diagnosis could lead to a new, better
and safer life for you – and your family.
For further information please contact:
The Secretary
Sleep Apnoea Association of NZ Inc.
PO Box 88, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
Phone: 027 4771883
website: www.sleepapnoeanz.org.nz