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Obstructive sleep apnoea

Apnoea obstructiva in somno · Obstrukční spánková apnoe

What it is

The throat collapses repeatedly in sleep; oxygen dips hundreds of times a night.

Symptoms & signs

  • Loud snoring
  • witnessed pauses
  • choking awakenings
  • daytime sleepiness
  • morning headache
  • high blood pressure

🚩 Get help if…

  • see a doctor soon Falling asleep while driving or at work
  • see a doctor soon Morning headaches with swollen ankles
  • see a doctor soon Pauses in breathing seen by others, with loud snoring
  • see a doctor soon Blood pressure that stays high despite medication

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • CPAP
  • mandibular advancement device
  • weight loss
  • hypoglossal nerve stimulator
  • surgery in selected cases
  • tirzepatide for moderate to severe apnoea with obesity — FDA-approved 2024

Natural & lifestyle

  • 10% weight loss cuts events ~30%
  • side sleeping
  • alcohol and sedative avoidance
  • nasal patency
  • myofunctional (tongue) therapy

Emerging & experimental

  • Hypoglossal stimulation refinements
  • combination atomoxetine-oxybutynin

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Didgeridoo playing — a small randomised trial reduced daytime sleepiness and snoring early / small studies
  • Positional devices (a ball or belt that stops back-sleeping) — work well when apnoea happens only on the back mixed evidence
  • Mouth taping — very small studies in mild mouth-breathers; unsafe with a blocked nose early / small studies
  • Nasal dilator strips — reduce snoring, do little for apnoea anecdotal / traditional

ICD codes