Snoring is often seen as something of a joke by those who don't suffer from it. If you snore or live with someone who snores, however, you know it isn't funny. It can be exhausting and frustrating for people in these positions, but it is not normally a danger to anyone's health. There is one type of snoring which is potentially dangerous, however, and it is called sleep apnoea (sometimes spelled "sleep apnea"). If you are a snorer or have a snorer in your life, being aware of this condition and how to spot the symptoms of it could potentially save a life.
What is Sleep Apnoea?
"Apnoea" comes from the Greek for "want of breath". It is a sleep disorder where the sufferer temporarily stops breathing for up to 10 seconds at a time during sleep. During these periods, the brain is fortunately able to sense the lack of oxygen entering the body, and uses a safety mechanism to protect the sleeper; they are woken very briefly, just enough for them to resume breathing again. While this prevents the sleeper from asphyxiation during the night, the continuous cycles of sleeping and waking (which can happen up to 100 times in a night) stop the sufferer being able to access the deep sleep that is required for good health.
Sleep apnoea can be caused by either a physical problem (which is called obstructive sleep apnoea) or a neurological problem (central sleep apnoea) – occasionally, it can be caused by a mixture of the two problems (mixed sleep apnoea). By far the most common cause is obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), where the airway at the back of the throat collapses in during sleep, blocking air from entering the body and preventing inhalation.
The Sleep Apnoea Trust estimate that 80,000 people in Britain suffer from this condition, while the National Sleep Foundation put the number of sufferers in the US at "more than 18 million". Both agree that sufferers are predominantly male, although it can occur in both sexes and at all ages.
Spotting the Symptoms of Sleep Apnoea
For most people with sleep apnoea, the most obvious symptom is persistant, extreme sleepiness during the day. The level of this drowsiness can be measured on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale to see if what is being experienced could be considered normal or a possible cause for concern. The lack of deep, restful sleep caused by sleep apnoea can also lead to irritability, loss of sex drive, difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness and morning headches. Some sufferers also find that they need to go to the bathroom more in the night, as lack of sleep releases stress hormones that act a diuretic.
For most sufferers, however, it is a partner, spouse or family member who first spots that there may be something more than just regular snoring wrong. The most obvious sign is seriously loud volume – according to Jill Eckersley, the average snorer manages about about 60 decibels (dB), but someone with severe sleep apnoea can reach a staggering 85 db, which is louder than a vacuum cleaner.
But it is not just the volume of the snoring, the sound is different too. As well as the usual grunting noise a snorer produces, sleep apnoea causes a regular rasping sound at the point where the sleeper is unable to inhale, followed by a spluttering or gasping as the sleeper is woken to draw breath. The choking/waking cycles can also usually be seen by a partner who is kept awake by the snoring, and can be quite frightening to observe.
Why Diagnosing Sleep Apnoea is Important
If you or someone you know is displaying the symptoms of sleep apnoea, it is important that they seek medical help for it straight away. Never getting a good night's sleep can cause depression, difficulty concentrating at work or college, a lowering of the metabolic rate and an irregular heart beat. Jill Eckersley notes that research by the British Heart Foundation has confirmed a link between untreated sleep apnoea and high blood pressure (hypertension). It also has clear implications for the relationships of the sufferer, with there even having been cases of divorce caused by the severe snoring this disorder produces.
What is potentially even more serious is the danger that persistant sleepiness can cause. Research by the British Lung Foundation has indicated that people with untreated sleep apnoea are seven times more likely to have a car accident than the rest of us. For this reason, the the UK's DVLA prevents diagnosed sufferers of sleep apnoea from driving unless they are receiving treatment for their condition – although as an estimated 80% of people with it are unaware of their disorder, this is still potentially a big danger on the roads. Which is all the more reason to seek help if any of the above symptoms apply to you or someone you know.
Additional Source
Eckersley, J. (2010). Coping with Snoring and Sleep Apnoea. London: Sheldon Press
Sharon Brookshaw - Freelance writer, university research administrator and PhD in archaeology/museum studies.
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