Apneia do Sono: o que é, causas e tratamento em Lisboa

SLEEP APNEIA - Treatment in Lisbon

Specialised clinical assessment and treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome in Lisbon

WHAT IS SLEEP APNOEA?

Avaliação e tratamento da Apneia do Sono — NeuroPsyque Lisboa

Chronic nocturnal breathing disruption

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS) is a serious sleep disorder in which breathing is interrupted for seconds and restarts repeatedly, due to the collapse of the upper airways. These pauses (apnoeas) cause dangerous drops in blood oxygen levels and continuous cerebral micro-awakenings, preventing deep sleep and placing a heavy burden on the cardiovascular and neurological systems.

Most common manifestations

Intense snoring
Loud and frequent snoring, often interspersed with silent pauses and sudden choking (gasps).
Drowsiness and Daytime Fatigue
Extreme tiredness during the day, with episodes in which the person falls asleep easily in passive situations (reading, watching TV or driving).
Observed Breathing Pauses
Alarming reports from the partner about breathing stops followed by asphyxiation or nocturnal suffocation.
Morning and Cognitive Symptoms
Waking up with a very dry mouth, frontal headaches, difficulty concentrating ("brain fog") and irritability.

RISK FACTORS AND CAUSES OF APNOEA

Anatomical factors

Narrowed airways (sinusitis, rhinitis), hypertrophied tonsils or adenoids, drooping soft palate, large tongue or changes in the maxillofacial structure.

Anatomy

Overweight

The accumulation of fat around the neck and upper airways increases the risk of obstruction and collapse during nocturnal muscle relaxation.

Metabolic

Age and Gender

More common in men and people over 40, as well as in women after the menopause due to hormonal changes.

Biological

Habits and Lifestyle

Drinking alcohol before bed, smoking, using sedatives and muscle relaxants, which aggravate the laxity and irritation of the throat.

Behavioural

Fatores de risco e impacto da Apneia do Sono no organismo

Sleep apnoea is also strongly associated with high blood pressure, insulin resistance and chronic cardiovascular problems.

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EFFECTIVENESS IN THE TREATMENT OF SLEEP APNEIA

Consistent clinical results and vital impact on neurological and cardiovascular health

56%

of patients had excessive daytime sleepiness before CPAP treatment, reducing to 28.2% at follow-up

30%

average reduction in daytime sleepiness, translated into less tiredness and greater alertness throughout the day

72%

of reduced risk of road accidents after CPAP treatment, showing the real impact of treatment on safety and alertness

39.5%

of global improvement in the apnoea-hypopnoea index with myofunctional/respiratory therapy as a complement

Sources: Bonsignore MR et al. (2021), European Sleep Apnea Database, Patel SR et al, meta-analysis on sleepiness improvement with CPAP, Tregear S et al. (2010), meta-analysis on reducing the risk of accidents with CPAP e Camacho M et al. (2020), meta-analysis of myofunctional/respiratory therapy in obstructive sleep apnoea.

TECHNOLOGY AND THE CLINICAL ENVIRONMENT

Adaptação a CPAP e terapias respiratórias

Monitorização cardiorrespiratória e oximetria

Avaliação multidisciplinar e tratamento do sono

Avaliação do impacto cerebral da privação de oxigénio

THE IMPORTANCE OF NOT IGNORING SNORING

Snoring isn't just a noisy nuisance for those sleeping next to you. It is often the main alarm of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome. Ignoring night-time breathing pauses means subjecting the brain and heart to chronic, intermittent oxygen deprivation, preventing the body from carrying out the natural repair processes of sleep, and exponentially increasing the risk of resistant hypertension, arrhythmias, strokes and early cognitive decline.

💡 A sleep study (polysomnography) is essential. It measures pauses in breathing, drops in oxygen in the blood and interruptions in the architecture of your sleep, allowing for an accurate medical diagnosis.

At NeuroPsyque, we take a clinical and multidisciplinary approach to sleep-disordered breathing. From accurate diagnosis through validated tests to the treatment or referral most suited to your severity (such as positive pressure therapy with CPAP, intraoral devices or metabolic and myofunctional rehabilitation). Our central aim is to restore nocturnal oxygenation and the health of your brain, giving you back your long-term health.

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Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ's about Sleep Apnoea

Does sleep apnoea only affect overweight people?

No. Although being overweight is the most significant risk factor, thin people can also suffer from severe apnoea due to their facial anatomy (receding jaw), hypertrophy of the tonsils, long palate, or strictly genetic issues in the upper airways.

How is the exact diagnosis made?

The diagnosis is always clinical, validated through a detailed sleep study called Polysomnography (or Cardiorespiratory Sleep Study), which can often be carried out at the patient's home. This test records breathing, blood oxygen levels, heart rates and sleep stages throughout the night.

What is CPAP and do I have to use it forever?

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is the gold standard, highly effective treatment for moderate to severe apnoea. It consists of a small, silent air compressor that, through a mask, prevents the throat from collapsing. The need for its long-term use depends on the cause (for example, if the patient significantly loses the weight that caused the OSAS, they may no longer need the device).

Can sleep apnoea cause depression, anxiety or memory problems?

Definitely. The constant fragmentation of deep sleep and low cerebral oxygenation severely and directly affect the neural networks that regulate mood and cognition. Many undiagnosed patients experience extreme irritability, limiting fatigue, resistant depression and a major decline in short-term memory.

Are there alternative treatments to CPAP?

Yes. For cases of apnoea classified as mild to moderate, there are solutions such as Mandibular Advancement Devices (dental appliances adjusted for use at night), myofunctional therapy (exercises to strengthen the oropharyngeal musculature) and, in very specific anatomical cases, maxillofacial or otorhinolaryngological surgical intervention.

Does loud snoring necessarily mean I have apnoea?

Not always. A person can snore (simple snoring) without stopping breathing. However, loud, arrhythmic snoring, and especially snoring interrupted by choking, gagging and noticeable silences in breathing, is the most classic and dangerous symptom of apnoea. If in doubt, book an appointment with Neurology. Contact us to book an assessment.