Sleep Disorders

Snoring & Treatments

Snoring is a sleep and breathing disorder, which occurs when the breathing passage is partially obstructed by a narrowing of the upper airways. During sleep, the muscles of the upper airway relax, producing noisy breathing through the mouth and nose.

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a serious and potentially life threatening condition characterised by:

  • Repetitive pauses in breathing during sleep due to collapse of the upper airway
  • Usually accompanied by a reduction in oxygen levels in the blood
  • Followed by an awakening in an attempt to breathe

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) & Periodic Legs Movement (PLM’s)

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a sleep disorder in which a person experiences unpleasant sensations in the legs described as creeping, crawling, tingling, pulling, or painful. These sensations usually occur in the calf area but may be felt anywhere from the thigh to the ankle.

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a relatively rare condition which causes severe daytime sleepiness, characterised by sudden attacks of sleep or muscle weakness (cataplexy), vivid dreams or hallucinations, and sleep paralysis. It affects approximately 0.05% of the population, and the origin of the condition is unknown.

Insomnia

Insomnia is the experience of inadequate or poor quality sleep, and may include:

  • Difficulty falling asleep
  • Waking up frequently during the night with difficulty returning to sleep
  • Waking up too early in the morning
  • Unrefreshing sleep