Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Overview

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is the most common sleep‑breathing disorder. Throat muscles relax too much during sleep, blocking the airway and causing repeated pauses in breathing. Each pause jolts the brain awake for a split second, fragmenting sleep and stressing the heart.

This page complements our general Sleep Apnoea overview by focusing on the obstructive type—its risks, diagnostic pathway and the full range of treatments available at The Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital, Aylesbury.

Why Treat OSA Promptly?

• Prevents daytime sleepiness that doubles road‑traffic‑accident risk
• Halves the risk of stroke — untreated OSA can raise ischaemic‑stroke rates
• Lowers blood pressure and reduces heart‑attack incidence
• Improves control of type 2 diabetes and weight‑loss success
• Restores deep, restorative sleep, boosting mood and concentration
• Halts loud snoring that disturbs partners and strains relationships

Key Warning Signs

• Loud, persistent snoring with choking or gasping pauses
• Morning headaches, dry mouth or sore throat
• Excessive daytime fatigue, nodding off at work or while driving
• Poor memory, irritability or low mood despite adequate time in bed
• High blood pressure that needs multiple medications
• Nocturia (getting up to urinate several times a night)

Who’s At Risk?

• Neck circumference > 43 cm (17 in) in men, > 40 cm (16 in) in women
• Body‑mass index ≥ 30 kg/m², especially central weight gain
• Structural factors: small jaw, large tonsils, deviated septum
• Men > 40 years and post‑menopausal women
• Family history of loud snoring or diagnosed OSA
• Alcohol or sedative use before bedtime

When To Seek Medical Advice

Phone 01296 678 800 if you or your bed partner notice repeated loud snoring, choking sounds or daytime sleepiness. Seek same‑day advice if you have OSA symptoms plus uncontrolled high blood pressure or heart rhythm problems.

Diagnostic Pathway

1  Specialist Consultation – combined respiratory and ENT assessment, Epworth Sleepiness Score and airway examination.
2  Home Sleep Test – overnight pulse‑oximetry and airflow recording couriered to your home; results analysed within 48 hours.
3  In‑Hospital Polysomnography – full overnight study in a private Sleep Lab for complex or borderline cases.
4  Imaging Support – CT scanning of the sinuses or neck in the CT Suite when structural obstruction is suspected.
5  Multidisciplinary Review – sleep physician, ENT surgeon, dietitian and CPAP nurse agree a personalised treatment plan.

Treatment Options

• Lifestyle & Weight Management – dietetic‑led meal planning, exercise coaching and, where appropriate, referral to our medical weight‑loss programme.
• Positional Therapy – wearable vibration devices encouraging side‑sleeping for those with supine‑dependent OSA.
• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) – mask fitting, pressure titration and smartphone‑connected monitoring with our CPAP‑nurse team.
• Mandibular Advancement Splint – custom oral device crafted by partnering dental specialists for mild‑to‑moderate OSA.
• ENT Surgical Referral – tonsillectomy, septoplasty or Inspire® hypoglossal‑nerve stimulation arranged via our regional surgical partners when conservative measures fail.
• Lifestyle Coaching – alcohol‑reduction counselling, smoking‑cessation clinics and sleep‑hygiene workshops.

Follow‑Up & Support

• CPAP data reviews at 2, 6 and 12 weeks, then every 6 months
• Annual sleep‑clinic check‑up with BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol and repeat Epworth Score
• 24‑hour phone line for mask‑fit issues or equipment faults
• Joint cardiology clinic for patients with atrial fibrillation, resistant hypertension or previous stroke

Why Choose The Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital?

• Sleep‑clinic appointments typically within one week
• Home test kits delivered and collected—no waiting for NHS postage
• Private single rooms for in‑lab studies, ensuring a quiet night’s data
• Integrated expertise: respiratory medicine, ENT, cardiology, dietetics and neuro‑rehabilitation under one roof
• Free on‑site parking, late‑evening CPAP clinics and virtual follow‑ups for busy schedules

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CPAP Noisy Or Uncomfortable?
Modern machines are whisper‑quiet, and our mask‑fitting service finds a style that suits your face and sleep position. Most users adjust within one to two weeks.

Will Losing Weight Cure My OSA?
A 10 percent weight loss can halve your Apnoea‑Hypopnoea Index; some people can eventually stop CPAP. Lifestyle changes are always part of the plan.

Can I Still Drive?
Yes—once treatment controls daytime sleepiness. We provide DVLA letters confirming compliance data when needed.

Sleep Better, Protect Your Heart & Brain

Call 01296 678 800 or enquire online to arrange your obstructive‑sleep‑apnoea assessment, stroke‑risk review and personalised treatment plan.