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Sleep Apnea Singapore

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. These breathing interruptions can last from a few seconds to over a minute and may occur dozens of times each hour. The condition prevents restful sleep and can leave you feeling tired and unrefreshed, even after a full night’s rest. Sleep apnea affects people of all ages but becomes more common with advancing years.

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Dr Adrian Mondry
Physician (FRG) | MD (HHU Düsseldorf) | MRCP (London) | IM Specialist (ÄKNo) | Hypertensiologist (DHL)
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Symptoms Causes Types Methods Treatment Prevention FAQ
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Symptoms
Causes
Types
Methods
Treatment
Prevention
FAQ

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

Common signs of sleep apnea include both nighttime disruptions and daytime effects:

  • Loud, persistent snoring

    Often the most noticeable sign, particularly snoring that becomes louder or stops suddenly followed by gasping or choking sounds.

  • Gasping or choking during sleep

    You may wake up suddenly feeling like you’re struggling to breathe, though some people don’t remember these episodes.

  • Excessive daytime sleepiness

    Feeling unusually tired during the day, struggling to stay awake during activities, or falling asleep at inappropriate times.

  • Mood changes

    Feeling irritable, anxious, or experiencing mood swings related to tiredness.

  • Dry mouth or sore throat upon waking

    Often caused by breathing through the mouth during sleep episodes.

Causes and Risk Factors

Several factors can contribute to the development of sleep apnea:

  • Excess weight

    Additional tissue around the neck and throat can narrow the airway, making breathing interruptions more likely during sleep.

  • Age

    Sleep apnea becomes more common as you get older, particularly after age 40, as throat muscles naturally become more relaxed.

  • Gender

    Men are more likely to develop sleep apnea than women, though the risk for women increases after menopause.

  • Family history

    Having relatives with sleep apnea increases your likelihood of developing the condition, suggesting a genetic component.

  • Smoking

    Tobacco use increases inflammation and fluid retention in the upper airway, making breathing interruptions more likely.

  • Nasal congestion

    Chronic stuffiness from allergies or structural problems can make it harder to breathe through the nose during sleep.

  • Medical conditions

    Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart problems are often associated with sleep apnea.

Types of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is classified into three main types based on the underlying cause:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

The most common form, occurring when throat muscles relax and block the airway during sleep. This accounts for approximately 80-90% of all sleep apnea cases.

Central Sleep Apnea

Less common condition where the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. The airway remains open, but breathing effort temporarily stops.

Mixed Sleep Apnea

A combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea, where patients experience features of both types during the same sleep study.

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Testing Methods

Proper diagnosis typically involves a comprehensive assessment of your symptoms, medical history, and specific testing to confirm the presence and severity of sleep apnea:

  • Medical history and physical examination

    Review of your symptoms, sleep patterns, and examination of your throat, neck, and nasal passages to identify potential contributing factors.

  • Sleep questionnaires

    Standardised questionnaires help assess your daytime sleepiness levels and the impact of sleep problems on your daily activities.

  • Referral for sleep study

    Arrangement for overnight monitoring at a sleep centre, where your breathing, heart rate, and brain activity are recorded throughout the night to confirm diagnosis and determine severity.

  • Blood pressure monitoring

    People with sleep apnea may have higher blood pressure during the night, even if daytime readings seem normal. Your doctor might recommend 24-hour blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) or home readings to check for “hidden” nighttime hypertension related to poor sleep and breathing patterns.

Treatment Options for Sleep Apnea Singapore

Medical management addresses underlying health conditions and lifestyle factors that contribute to sleep apnea:

Management of underlying conditions

Treatment of related conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart problems that often coexist with sleep apnea.

Weight management guidance

Medical advice and monitoring for weight reduction, as losing excess weight can significantly reduce sleep apnea symptoms in many patients.

Medication review and adjustment

Assessment of current medications that may worsen sleep apnea, such as sedatives or muscle relaxants, with appropriate modifications when possible.

Referral for CPAP therapy

Coordination with sleep specialists for continuous positive airway pressure device fitting and ongoing monitoring of treatment effectiveness.

Prevention and Management

Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding alcohol and sedatives before bedtime, and treating nasal congestion can help lower your risk of sleep apnea. Sleeping on your side rather than your back may also improve breathing during sleep. Managing related conditions like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and obesity can significantly improve sleep quality and lower the health risks associated with sleep apnea.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How quickly will I notice improvements after starting treatment for sleep apnea?

Many patients notice improvements in daytime alertness and energy levels within the first few weeks of treatment, with full benefits typically developing over several months.

What happens if I stop using my CPAP machine?

Sleep apnea symptoms will return if you discontinue CPAP therapy, and the associated health risks will also return over time.

Can children develop sleep apnea?

Children can develop sleep apnea, often due to enlarged tonsils or adenoids, and may show different symptoms such as bedwetting, poor school performance, or hyperactivity rather than typical adult symptoms.

Is sleep apnea linked to other health problems?

Untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of developing heart rhythm problems, heart attacks, strokes, and can worsen diabetes control.

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Dr Adrian Mondry

Physician (FRG)|MD (HHU Düsseldorf)|Specialist for Internal Medicine (ÄKNo)|Hypertensiologist (DHL)|MRCP (London)

Dr. Mondry has over 30 years of experience as an internal medicine & hypertension specialist.

  • Previously a Senior Consultant in the Department of Medicine at the National University Hospital and Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, where he is currently a visiting consultant.

  • Hypertension Specialist accredited by the German Hypertension League (DHL)

  • Contributed to the latest Singapore ACE Clinical Guidance on “Hypertension – Tailoring the Management Plan to Optimise Blood Pressure Control” as a committee member.

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