Sleep apnoea treatments

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) or obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) is a condition characterised by recurrent episodes of limited airflow in the airways during sleep, as a result of an anatomical and functional alteration to the upper airways that leads to them collapsing. This causes drops in blood oxygen levels and micro-arousals from sleep, giving rise to unrefreshing sleep and respiratory and cardiac problems. The most significant risk factors are male gender, old age and obesity.

The symptoms that could point to a case of sleep apnoea include:

• Excessive tiredness during the day. Some sleep apnoea patients have even been in traffic accidents due to tiredness at the wheel.
• Gasping for air when waking up and repeated breathing interruptions during sleep observed by a partner or roommate.
• It may also cause behavioural and personality disorders, impaired cognitive functioning, difficulties concentrating, headaches in the morning, frequent urination at night, and reduced libido or impotence.

What treatments are available?

OXIGEN salud offers the most common treatment for sleep apnoea: continuous positive airway pressure through the nose with a ventilation machine. This treatment consists of a mask connected to a machine that blows air at a certain pressure and prevents any obstruction of the upper airways.

There are different types of machines available: the CPAP, the APAP and the BiPAP:

• The CPAP emits air at a predefined, fixed, constant pressure to keep the upper airways open.
• The APAP or auto CPAP adjusts the air pressure the patient receives automatically according to their needs.
• The BiPAP or bilevel system emits air at two pressures: one for when the patient is inhaling, another for when they are exhaling. This system is used to treat central sleep apnoea, as well as OSA that is severe or not alleviated by a CPAP machine.

OXIGEN salud provides all three types, always under the recommendations of prescribing medical professionals.

We also offer equipment and accessories for alternative or complementary sleep apnoea treatments. These systems adjust the patient’s sleep posture and prevent them from sleeping on their back. The use of these types of accessories must always be monitored and recommended by prescribing medical professionals.

Sleep apnoea resources