The Sound of Sleep

Do you snore or sleep next to a spouse who sounds like a chainsaw? Snoring is often viewed as an annoyance, but it can be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnoea, where a person stops breathing repeatedly while sleeping because of a complete or partial blocking of his or her airway.

According to a 2016 study by Jurong Health Services, one in three Singaporeans suffers from moderate to severe sleep apnoea, and one in 10 suffers from severe sleep apnoea. Up to 90 per cent of moderate to severe sleep apnoea subjects in the study were previously undiagnosed.

Sufferers often wake up with a headache or feeling of fatigue because they are not getting enough oxygen. They may doze off multiple times during the day, and have a higher risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and obesity. Prostrate problems and erectile dysfunction can occur in men.