What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea (also spelled sleep apnoea) is a sleep-related breathing disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops or becomes significantly reduced during sleep. The most common form is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when the upper airway becomes narrowed or blocked.

Sleep apnea can reduce sleep quality and the body’s oxygen supply. It should therefore be assessed and treated by a qualified healthcare professional.

How Are Snoring and Sleep Apnea Related?

Snoring occurs when airflow causes tissues in the upper airway to vibrate during sleep. Snoring is common and does not necessarily mean that a person has sleep apnea. However, loud and habitual snoring can be one of the signs of obstructive sleep apnea, particularly when it is accompanied by pauses in breathing, gasping or choking sounds.

It is not possible to determine from the sound of snoring alone whether sleep apnea is present.

Warning Signs That Require Medical Advice

You should consult a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional if you or your sleeping partner notice symptoms such as:

  • breathing that repeatedly stops and starts during sleep;
  • gasping, choking or snorting sounds during sleep;
  • loud and persistent snoring;
  • excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue;
  • difficulty concentrating or changes in mood;
  • frequent morning headaches; or
  • waking with shortness of breath or a dry mouth.

A sleeping partner may be able to provide useful observations because the person affected is often unaware of the breathing interruptions.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can only be diagnosed by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. Assessment may include a medical examination and an overnight sleep study performed at home or in a sleep clinic.

Treatment depends on the type, cause and severity of the condition. It may include lifestyle changes, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), a mandibular advancement device, positional therapy or, in selected cases, surgery. Any prescribed treatment should be followed in accordance with the healthcare professional’s instructions.

Lifestyle Factors

Certain factors may increase or aggravate the risk of obstructive sleep apnea, including excess weight, alcohol consumption, smoking, sleeping on the back and anatomical narrowing of the upper airway. Appropriate lifestyle changes may be helpful, but they are not a substitute for medical assessment when sleep apnea is suspected.

Why Persistent Snoring Should Not Be Ignored

Snoring is not the same as obstructive sleep apnea, and a person who snores cannot automatically be assumed to have sleep apnea. However, persistent snoring may be relevant to the long-term condition of the upper airway.

A histological study conducted by researchers associated with Karolinska Institutet identified progressive nerve and muscle abnormalities in the upper airway of habitual snorers and patients with different degrees of airway obstruction. The researchers concluded that the repeated physical trauma associated with snoring may be a contributing factor to increased upper-airway collapsibility.

This research suggests that persistent, untreated snoring should not simply be ignored. The repeated physical trauma associated with snoring may contribute to progressive changes in the upper airway and, in some individuals, increase airway collapsibility — a central feature of obstructive sleep apnea.

Asonor® and Sleep Apnea

Asonor® is a medical device intended to reduce snoring through local lubrication and hydration of the mucous membranes in the throat. It is applied through the nostrils using a jet-stream applicator so that the solution reaches the pharyngeal area, where its physical effect is achieved.

Asonor® is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure sleep apnea. A reduction in the sound of snoring does not demonstrate that airway obstruction or sleep apnea has been resolved. Anyone who experiences signs of sleep apnea should seek medical advice, even if their snoring improves.

For information about correct application, ingredients and cautions, please see the Asonor® Instructions for Use.

Further Medical Information