Based on various scientific studies, sleep problems, excessive daytime sleepiness, non-restorative sleep and obstructive sleep apnoea are linked to negative effects on functioning, well-being and quality of life. The studies involved the general population, clinical patients, working people and even children. These studies concluded that people with sleep apnoea, insomnia, narcolepsy, restless legs and primary parasomnias have poorer quality of life than the general population.
Effects of Sleep Loss
Sleeping disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnoea, cause daytime sleepiness, depression, snoring, loss of memory and difficulties with concentration.
Sleepiness - Majority of OSA patients are excessively sleepy during the day. This predicament makes it hard for them to concentrate on work which could ultimately lead to job loss. Most people with undiagnosed OSA do not know that they lack sleep and just attribute their extreme sleepiness to slowing down as they grow old.
Memory Loss and Depression - It is very common for people with untreated OSA to be depressed. It has been found that patients treated for depression have untreated OSA that was causing the depression. Memory loss is another problem of people with untreated OSA.
People with untreated OSA present greater rates in healthcare and hospitalization costs. They are 10 times more likely to figure in vehicular accidents due to their sleepiness. Some of the most distressing human and environmental health catastrophes have been linked to performance failures due to sleep loss. Such were the nuclear meltdowns in Chernobyl and Three Mile Island.
Sleep Apnoea Affects Family
The consequences of undiagnosed and untreated OSA are not contained to the affected persons only. Their families and communities are also affected.
The same study concluded that the health and well-being of sleep partners and other members of the family are impacted. One of OSA’s manifestations is loud snoring and this could keep a bed partner awake. In some cases, the snoring is so loud that it is heard across the whole house. Since people with OSA tend to stop breathing several times per hour, some partners are compelled to stay awake to make sure that their partner with OSA breaths again. A study done by Mayo Clinic indicated that bed partners of people who snore woke an average of 21 times per hour.
Partners of individuals with OSA are sleep-deprived and this makes them irritable and grumpy. Their health and quality of sleep are affected, as well as their general well-being, income, and in the case of the husband/wife, their ability to take care of the children or sick family members. These adverse effects could lead to family problems and even divorce. It is not uncommon for the bed partner to sleep in another bedroom to avoid the disruptive snoring of the partner with untreated OSA. Bed partners of people with untreated OSA were found to have poor physical and mental health, depressed mood and general marital unhappiness and discontent.
From numerous studies, it is quite conclusive that OSA is a condition that not only affects the person diagnosed with the disorder but also the bed partner and in some cases, other members of the family
CPAP Therapy
The efficacy of CPAP Therapy for a person with OSA proved to be effective in treating the sleeping disorder. The great news is that the therapy also brought relief to the bed partner without OSA and to the rest of the family. Everyone experienced peaceful, restful and uninterrupted night’s sleep.
If you think your partner has a sleeping disorder that keeps you and the rest of the family awake at night, call NOW at 1300 750 006 or pop into one of our CPAP clinics Victoria . We are located in Melbourne, Wantirna and Frankston.
CPAP Victoria can help you. We have the qualification, experience and expertise to diagnose and present treatment options for your sleeping disorder.
