Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS)

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS) is a snoring and sleep disorder where the throat narrowing is extreme and the throat may collapse during sleep. Normal breathing is unable to overcome this blockage leading the airflow to drop (hypopnoea) or stop (apnoea). The brain is alerted, the sufferer stirs, resuming normal stiffness in the throat. Air is able to flow in again and breathing recommences. Once back into deeper sleep the muscles relax and collapse again and the whole cycle repeats, sometimes frequently throughout the night. Untreated this condition can further deteriorate and lead to other complications. Sleep loss may lead to difficulty concentrating, inability to respond well to others, depression, anxiety, hypertension, headaches and sexual dysfunction. Driving and operating machinery can be dangerous if a snorer is constantly tired.