Page 23 - Waterfall Issue 6 2021

Netcare Waterfall
City Hospital PHELANG
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BONOLO
sLEEP APnoEA

Obstructive sleep apnoea - a brief overview of its effects on cognition

o bstructive Sleep Apnoea or pauses in breathing in the patient,

the diagnosis of OSA is easier to make.
(OSA) is increasing in
prevalence worldwide.
Presently, about one- WHAt IS oSA?
seventh of the world’s adult OSA is a sleep disorder where the
population is estimated to have OSA. upper airway collapses during
It poses a considerable individual sleep, leading to partial or complete
and public health challenge because blockage of airflow, despite
of its associated risks such as cardiac ongoing breathing efforts.
disease, stroke and diabetes.
This partial or complete blockage of
OSA can sometimes be difficult to airflow results in a shortage of oxygen
diagnose because of the different (hypoxia) to the brain and may result in
ways in which it presents in By Dr Raksha Sitharam, MBCHB, the patient waking from sleep, leading
individuals. The first step in identifying FCNeurol (SA), Specialist to ‘sleep fragmentation’. This, in turn,
OSA is to move away from the Neurologist & Certified Somnologist may lead to a feeling of unrefreshing
stereotype of the typical OSA patient sleep and daytime sleepiness.
being an overweight male with a (ESRS), practising at Netcare
short, broad neck and to realise Waterfall City Hospital. WhAT hEALTh RIsKs ARE
that anyone – in fact, even a thin, ASSoCIAteD WItH oSA?
young female – could have OSA. The increased health risks of OSA are:
may be the main complaint but • Cognitive deficits, including the
Patients can present with cognitive that may be a result of underlying risk of mild cognitive impairment
complaints of poor memory and obstructive sleep apnoea. and Alzheimer’s disease
inattention as a symptom of OSA • Heart disease, high blood pressure
and be unaware of any difficulties If the patient’s partner gives a history (hypertension) and stroke
in breathing whilst asleep. Insomnia of loud snoring and witnessed gasping • Diabetes

Tongue

Normal airway Obstruction of airway in OSA

Waterfall Issue 6 2021 21
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