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Ensuring a good night's sleep is vital for overall health and well-being, particularly as we age. While many older Australians may consider daytime fatigue a normal part of ageing, excessive daytime sleepiness can be an indicator for underlying health issues such as Sleep Apnoea, which can leave you feeling tired and unrefreshed despite a full night's sleep.
Sleep Apnoea is a prevalent sleep disorder, which can present a significant challenge for many older Australians, impacting their daily lives more severely than they might realise.
Sleep Apnoea occurs when your throat muscles excessively relax, causing a partial or complete blockage of the upper airway. These interruptions in breathing, known as apnoea’s, can last from a few seconds to a few minutes and may occur multiple times throughout the night, preventing individuals from reaching deeper stages of restorative sleep.
The symptoms of Sleep Apnoea can vary, with some individuals experiencing no symptoms at all. However, common symptoms include:
- Loud and persistent snoring
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Choking or gasping for air during sleep
- Morning headaches
- Depression and irritability
- Restlessness during sleep
- Frequent night time visits to the bathroom
- Sexual dysfunction
Approximately 5% of Australians have Sleep Apnoea, and its prevalence tends to rise with age due to increased relaxation of throat muscles during sleep. The detrimental effects of Sleep Apnoea include an elevated risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, depression, and accidents.
The good news is that Sleep Apnoea is highly treatable. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is the most commonly prescribed and effective treatment for Sleep Apnoea. CPAP therapy involves wearing a mask under or over the nose and in some cases over the mouth while sleeping. The CPAP machine delivers a continuous flow of air pressure that keeps the airway open, preventing apnoea’s and improving breathing during sleep.
If you or your partner are experiencing any symptoms of Sleep Apnoea, your local National Pharmacies Pharmacist or Sleep Consultant will be able to help.
Prioritising and addressing Sleep Apnoea plays a pivotal role in safeguarding your overall health and wellbeing. Take the first step by completing a quick and easy online sleep assessment or book a complimentary sleep health consultation at a participating National Pharmacies store by clicking here.
National Pharmacies are committed to providing patients with the highest quality equipment available. To ensure patient satisfaction, they offer a wide range of CPAP equipment from reputable brands including Phillips, ResMed, Fisher & Paykel and Lowenstein, allowing individuals to access the best option for their needs.
National Pharmacies members receive benefit on all Sleep Apnoea products and services.
As a Seniors Card member you are eligible to an exclusive National Pharmacies member price of $33.50 per year.
A membership with National Pharmacies gives you benefits on every product, every service, every day. Find out more.
References:
- Aging and Sleep: How Does Growing Old Affect Sleep? | Sleep Foundation - https://www.sleepfoundation.org/aging-and-sleep.
- Sleep in the Aging Population - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28159095/
- UQ study explains link between sleep apnoea and dementia - UQ News - The University of Queensland, Australia - https://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2022/11/
- Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) | Sleep Health Foundation - https://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/sleep-disorders/obstructive-sleep-apnoea
- Medical standards for licensing | Austroads - https://austroads.com.au/publications/assessing-fitness-to-drive/ap-g56/sleep-disorders/medical-standards-for-licensing-9