Obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) is a condition in which a person experiences repeated episodes of apnoea/hypopnoea because of closing of the pharyngeal airway during sleep (NICE definition)
Symptoms
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Snoring
- Morning headaches
- Nocturia
- Sexual dysfunction
- Impaired cognition
Risk factors for OSA
- Increasing age
- Obesity
- Male gender
- Enlarged tongue or tonsils
Conditions associated with OSAHS
- Marfans
- Downs
- Acromegaly
- Hypothyroidism
Diagnosis
- History
- Sleep study
- Severity graded on the apnoea/hypnoea index (AHI)
- Mild: AHI 5-14
- Moderate: AHI 15-30
- Severe: AHI >30
Management
- Lifestyle changes
- Weight loss
- Stop smoking
- Decrease alcohol
- Dental devices to keep upper airway open (mild to moderate OSA only)
- CPAP
- Surgery should only be as part of a clinical trial
OSAHS increases:
- Depression
- Hypertension
- Increased motor accidents
References