DO YOU suspect you might have sleep apnoea?
A new service in Richmond allows you to be tested so you will know for sure, and if you have it, you can take action.
Sleep apnoea is where the walls of the throat come together during sleep, blocking off the airway for a few seconds. Blood oxygen levels drop, and the brain responds by waking the sleeper who will often snort and clear the airway, then usually go back to sleep without registering the brief wake-up.
It causes daytime drowsiness, and a higher risk of car accidents, heart attack and high blood pressure. It can also cause irritability and reduced sex drive.
Past the age of 30, three times more men than women are affected.
Local help is at hand if you think you might be affected. Macquarie Towns Specialist Centre now has a sleep clinic set up in association with a company called Australian Medical Home Sleep Tests.
If you would like to find out if you have sleep apnoea, for a fee of $70 if bulkbilled, you can take home a device which will track you through the night. The data recorded will reveal if you are affected.
It just involves some sensors stuck to your skin and a device strapped to your chest.
If you do have sleep apnoea you will be given a sleep apnoea (CPAP) machine for four weeks which costs $220 to rent. The data from it is monitored remotely. It involves a mask which pushes oxygen into your throat to stop it closing.
If the data analysis by the sleep physician at the clinic determines the machine is helping you, you can buy your own, costing between $1400-$5000. Some health funds will give a rebate of $400-700 of the cost. Interest-free payment plans are offered.
Ziggy Ahmad from Australian Medical Home Sleep Tests said sleep apnoea was becoming more and more prevalent, as were accidents on the road due to fatigue.
‘‘Sleep apnoea can make you wake up more than 100 times a night,’’ he said. ‘‘Obesity is the highest risk factor. A lot of the time it’s the partner who alerts the sleeper there is a problem.
‘‘If it’s left untreated it can lead to organ failure, heart attack or diabetes. It puts a lot of stress on the heart.
He said unlike the first machines that came out, the newest CPAP devices are small and unobtrusive.
Other than the machine, the most effective way to reduce the risk of sleep apnoea is to lose weight and reduce alcohol intake.
Participants must be 18 or over. Just ask your GP or specialist to fax a referral for a home sleep study to Australian Media Home Sleep Testing on 80052907. Ring 1300753378 or email elizabeth.sultan@homesleeptests.com.au with any queries.
